Energy efficiency and
environmental issues...

Waste Minimisation and Recycling Overview

In 2002/3, around 220 million tonnes of waste were produced in the UK by households, commerce and industry (including construction and demolition), 25 million tonnes more than in 1998/9.

In 2002/3, municipal waste (household and other waste collected by local authorities) made up about a sixth of this waste, industry and commerce accounted for just over a third, and construction and demolition made up about half.

In 2002/3, the proportion of waste disposed of in landfill sites fell to 43 per cent, although the actual amount disposed of in this way did not change significantly compared with 1998/9. The proportion of waste being recycled or reused increased to 43 per cent in 2002/3, with actual tonnage increasing by 50 per cent between the two years.

(Source National Statistics 2004)

Landfill represents a vast waste of energy and resources. The UK Waste Strategy includes targets to recover value from 45 per cent of municipal waste and to recycle 30 per cent of household waste by 2010. To reduce landfill for industrial and commercial waste to 85 per cent of the 1998 level by 2005. The Government's assessment in 1998 was that there has been a "Significant change in direction away from meeting objectives".

Recycling Facts and Figures

On average each person in the UK generates just over half a tonne of household waste per year. Between 1995/6 and 2003/4 UK household waste per person increased by 14 per cent, but was below the 2001/2 amount in 2003/4.
(Source DEFRA 2004)

Britain sends 65 million tonnes of waste to landfill every year. Enough to fill the Albert Hall every hour.

In one year the average person in the UK "consumes" 5.8 tonnes of material. Most (3.5 tonnes) is actually building material but 1 tonne is disposed of as solid waste. The DETR gives a figure of 441kg of domestic waste produced per person per year. Most of this goes to landfill sites but some is incinerated, often generating electricity. A small proportion is recycled (approximately 7%).
Commercial waste per person is in the order of 840 kg per year, 97% going to landfill. Nationally, 15 million tonnes of waste is collected from homes, 5 million tonnes is taken to civic waste disposal sites. Commercial and industrial waste creates 45 - 65 million tonnes per year for disposal.

Waste produced in schools is most frequently sent to landfill rather than reused or recycled although much of it is in fact recyclable. (Waste Watch Resource management in the Education Sector 2004) Some 45% of waste from an average UK school is paper based. Catering waste, at 21% is the second highest volume with Cardboard third at 11%. There is considerable room for improvement in recycling figures in most UK schools.

The major environmental impact of schools in this area is in their ability to influence the wider public. Schools make ideal sites for centres of recycling. Effective school policies for sustainable development will, however, focus on the wider issue of waste minimisation and not just on recycling. Reducing consumption is far more effective than recycling waste.

Recycling of paper, glass and aluminium are increasingly common activities in schools and communities. However, there are many other possibilities including printer cartridges, electric appliances, batteries, furniture and increasing opportunities for composting food materials.

Schools can find out more information about re-cycling from a number of sources including www.letsrecycle.com or the recycle guide of www.biffa.co.uk.

Schools should aim to be zero-waste models of efficiency for their communities. They should seek to use their curriculum to develop in students the values, knowledge and skill to address the issue of sustainable consumption. The school should seek to ensure through its contracts and partnerships that all stakeholders should promote sustainable consumption, promote the local economy and institute policies of reduction, re-use and recycling. School Governing bodies should seek best value in their purchasing policies but also seek to purchase products and services which minimise environmental impact on the local community.

Waste Minimisation and Recycling Facts and Figures

An analysis of domestic waste proportions gives the following:-