Search Results for: RECYCLING

As world-wide recycling rates are on the rise, the world’s population is also continuing to expand, and as a result, we’re now having to produce an increasing amount of products in order to keep up with demand, which has meant there’s more waste being produced than ever before. 

UK Homeowners and Recycling

A recent survey by Meanwell Packaging revealed 73% of UK adults recycle to the best of their ability, whilst 22% state that they do recycle, but could make improvements to their method of doing it. For example, they said they could be recycling more frequently, be recycling a wider range of materials or should be making the effort to wash the items before recycling them.

The survey also cited that 2% of homeowners said they don’t recycle but should start, a small amount of 3% don’t recycle at all and don’t have any intention of doing so, but however, only 1 in 20 UK adults (5%) say they never recycle.

Perhaps surprisingly, the most environmentally conscious age group in the UK when it comes to recycling is those aged 55-64, with 86% always recycling to the best of their ability.

So What Could We Do Better?

Insight from Wrap.org showed us that the UK’s attitude to recycling is positive and common in practice, with nine in ten (88%) UK households saying they frequently recycle. However, four in five homes have confessed to causing cross-contamination, as they have put non-recyclable items in their recycling bins.

The report also suggests that the contamination is fundamentally the result of well-meaning but misplaced attempts at recycling, not due to a lack of care. For example, some homeowners have put damaged drinking glasses in the recycling, and think that it is accepted in their bin collection.  

UK Recycling Facts

As online shopping is an activity many of us enjoy, we’re not surprised that Amazon reported a record performance in 2020. A staggering 2.8 billion parcels were sent around the UK last year, generating, you guessed it, packaging! Luckily for us, most current packaging materials are 100% recyclable, and paper and cardboard are the things we recycled most in 2021.

Insight from Statista showed us that we recycle around 80% of paper and cardboard in the UK each year. That number could be increased to 90% or even 95% if we made the efforts to make sure we place each piece of paper packaging in the recycling bin.

We found some interesting recycling facts to share – 

• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) revealed in a recent report that British households create over 26m tonnes of waste each year, which is around the weight of around 260 large cruise ships!
• Knowing this, it means the typical person in the UK will throw away around 400kg of waste each year; 7 times their body weight!
• Of the 26m tonnes of waste produced in the UK, 12m tonnes are recycled, and 14m tonnes are directed to landfill. This gives the UK an average recycling rate of 45%.
• The UK government has set a target for us to recycle 50% of all household waste by 2020.

So Why Should We Recycle?

1. Recycling conserves resources
2. Recycling saves energy
3. Recycling helps to protect the environment
4. Recycling reduces landfill and waste

Recycling is pretty simple, and most of us are recycling as much as we can. We can’t stop waste production completely, but everyone can make their significant contributions, and recycle to the best of their ability.

You can read further information about the GGF’s Aluminium, uPVC, Timber and Glass Recycling Schemes by Clicking Here

Embodied carbon is the CO₂ emissions that are related with materials and the construction process of a building. This is including any CO₂ that is generated during the extraction of raw materials, the manufacturing and refinement, transportation, installation, the practices applied and disposal can all produce embodied carbon emissions. Fundamentally, embodied carbon is assembled into the fabric of the building.

In short, embodied carbon is the carbon footprint of a building before it becomes functioning. It also refers to:

• the CO₂ that is produced when upholding the building
• the demolishing of the building
• transporting the waste
• recycling the waste

Embodied carbon differs distinctly from operational carbon, which is the carbon that comes from energy, heat, lighting and so on. Current data from the World Green Building Council shows us that embodied carbon is becoming a larger part of a building’s general carbon footprint.

Embodied carbon is certainly moving its way up the agenda for industry and government.  While it currently explains for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions, the projected increase of construction initiatives over the coming decades means it’s believed that by the Government’s goal of Net Zero in 2050, embodied and operational carbon emissions will be at the same level.

Efficient Windows and Doors Can Help to Reduce Your Carbon Emissions

In our current climate where everybody is rightfully becoming more environmentally conscious, it’s great that you can purchase hybrid cars, use less plastic, limit your meat consumption, but just by installing brand new windows, it can help with your energy costs and reduce greenhouse emissions.

Not only do energy efficient products save you a ton of money on your energy bills, they also benefit the world’s carbon emissions. With energy efficient products you can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from your home. 

Just switching to new windows alone can reduce the annual household’s carbon footprint by up to 12%, compared to non-energy efficient products. Insight from Conservation Construction shows us that in addition, energy efficient windows can save between 246-2001 pounds of CO2 a year.

Find a responsible and sustainable GGF Member to make your home improvements today.

To prevent unnecessary waste and rubbish from ending up in landfills or the ocean, we’ve compiled a list of 7 easy and accessible recycling tips and tricks for you to implement into your daily life, so you can reduce your carbon footprint as much as possible.

1. Reuse plastic bags –
   Try to always carry a reusable bag when you go shopping, and if you’re using a single use plastic bag, then try to use it until its end of life, so you’re getting the most out of your use.
2. Use rechargeable batteries –
   It takes a long time for batteries to break down, but when they do they release toxic chemicals that are very damaging for the environment. Rechargeable batteries will save you money in the long run.
3. Donate your old clothes –
   Your old clothes could be in great shape, so instead of throwing them away, try to donate to a charity shop or someone less fortunate. Especially if the items are fast fashion, try to get as much use from them as possible, and so why not donate!
4. Start composting! –
   Instead of buying expensive fertilizer, make your own! Keeping a home-made compost will ensure you soon have a nutrient-rich soil that is ideal for planting. What can you compost, we hear you ask? Well, household items and waste such as eggshells, bread crusts, vegetable peels, tea & coffee granules and paper towels. 
5. Keep recycling bags accessible –
   Nearly everything that is made of plastic or paper can be recycled, despite this, so many cosmetics, shampoo and plastic bottles, cereal boxes, and bottled water end up in the bin simply because there isn’t a recycling bin to spare. To thwart this, keep bags on each level of your home for easy access.
6. Be creative –
   You can turn your recyclables into anything you want, with some creativity. Home decor, sentimental homemade gifts, and numerous other practical uses around the house. So before you throw something away, ask yourself (or google!) if it can be upcycled.
7. Be as digital as possible –
   This one may be pretty self-explanatory, but we live in a world filled with technology, so try to take advantage of the amazing technology at your fingertips. Instead of using paper products, utilize email and online news articles, your smartphone calendar, pay your bills online, and try to be digital whenever possible.

You help close the recycling loop by buying new products made from recycled materials. There are thousands of products that contain recycled content. When you go shopping, ensure to look for products that can be easily recycled, and products that contain any recycled content.

Some of the common supermarket products that can be made with recycled content include:

• Carpeting
• Cereal boxes
• Comic books
• Egg cartons
• Glass bottles
• Washing up powder bottles
• Nails
• Newspapers
• Paper towels
• Rubbish bags