The UK is bound by the EC Landfill Directive (99/31/EC) which sets mandatory targets for the reduction of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill. To help meet these requirements the Government has established national targets for recovery of municipal waste and recycling/composting household waste. All authorities in England have been set Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting household waste.
Bury produces more than 105,409 tonnes of rubbish each year. 105,409 tonnes of rubbish is the equivalent in weight to 14,114 double-decker buses! Placed end to end, these buses would stretch for 88 miles. That's the distance between Bury and Derby.
However, it's not just the amount of rubbish we produce - it's what we do with it that matters. When we throw our rubbish in the bin the majority of it is buried in the ground in landfill sites. The problem is we're running out of space and we need to find an alternative to burying our rubbish.
Back in 1998/1999 Bury recycled only 3% of its rubbish. With the introduction of a kerbside multi-material recycling scheme the % of waste recycled has gradually risen as follows.
In 2001/2002 5.6% of waste was recycled.
In 2003/2004 9.2% of waste was recycled.
In 2004/2005 18.69% of waste was recycled.
In 2005/2006 23.23% of waste was recycled.
In 2006/2007 22.91% of waste was recycled.
In 2007/2008 the amount of waste recycled rose to 26.26%
Recycling targets set by the Government
By 2009/2010 we need to be recycling 30% of our waste.
By 2020 we are required to be recycling 50% of our waste.
In order to meet these targets we need your continued help and support.
We all must recycle more!
