As part of the controversial zero waste policy being promoted by Environment Minister Hilary Benn, citizens in the United Kingdom could be fined up to one thousand pounds for putting food scraps and other recyclables into their dustbin. The zero waste policy aims to cut greenhouse emissions in the United Kingdom by forcing residents to recycle anything that is possible to be recycled, especially food items. As food and other organic compounds start to break down they release harmful methane, which if released into the atmosphere is far more harmful than carbon.
Some residents are concerned that the new laws will lead to inconvenience as well as a large number of bins. The amount of recycled material will be so large that some households will need at least five bins to hold it all. Currently the United Kingdom sends over sixty million tonnes of rubbish into landfills which makes it one of the worst violators in all of Europe. The United Kingdom sends over half of all if its rubbish to landfills and the new zero waste policy hopes to drive that number down significantly.
Not only will residents be fined for continually putting recyclables into their rubbish bin, but the new plan, which will be announced by Hilary Benn, will also ban certain items from being thrown away. Paper, glass, food, and cans will all be banned from landfills starting early next year and citizens who do not follow these rules will be severely fined. To make sure of local participation all local councils will be forced offer full recycling services.
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