Recycling rates in the UK
The UK government is very keen on recycling rates in the UK and under pressure from the European Union to improve rates it seems likely that local authorities around the UK will tighten regulations and reintroduce fines. This is despite the fact that the UK government recently indicated that recycling fines would be “a thing of the past” and also promised to do its utmost to reintroduce weekly bin collections. So what can we expect in the UK with regards to recycling rates and recycling fines?
There is no doubt there is a need to improve recycling rates across the UK and indeed a recent survey confirmed that the Isle of Wight has the lowest recycling rates in the UK. Around only one third of waste is recycled on the Isle of Wight and the local authorities have introduced a consultation period to try and improve this dire statistic. Over the next few years the government, local authorities and the UK population will need to come together to improve UK recycling rates but there will likely be a massive backlash from the public if further fines are introduced.
In many ways it seems that the UK government is at loggerheads with local councils who have seen their budgets cut, their costs increase and need to increase their income in the medium to longer term. Who will win this battle of the heavyweights remains to be seen but the UK population would appear to have enough of being spoonfed recycling propaganda and being hit with ever increasing local council costs as well as recycling fines.
Rather than throwing away you old ironing board why not give it a new lease of life with a new cover? Helping the environment and saving you some money as well.