Let's fix the UK's recycling system!

Over the past few years, we have been inundated with information about the devastating effects of climate change - from David Attenborough’s hit show Blue Planet and Greta Thunberg’s strikes for climate change, to government action such as the plastic straw ban.

The attention on urgency has ultimately been high, yet we continue to be a throw away nation. Let’s make change happen together before we ruin our planet for good!

The problem:
The current UK recycling system puts the responsibility for waste management on individual councils. This makes it both complicated and ineffective. As a result, the UK is likely to miss its goal of recycling 50% of waste by the end of 2020.

• The UK creates roughly 26 million tonnes of waste per year.
• Countries such as Germany and Austria manage to recycle 60-70% of their rubbish.
• The UK is on track to miss its 50% target, with a meagre 46% recycle rate.
• Studies have shown that in the UK 47% of people say they have disagreements at home regarding what can and can’t be recycled.

Why should you care?

• A lack of recycling means that precious resources are being wasted every single day.
• Landfill sites create toxic gases such as methane which contribute to global warming.
• The sea is becoming increasingly dangerous for wildlife and natural habitats as it becomes more acidic and waste (often plastic) threatens their very existence.

We are asking you to join us in urging the UK government to create a standardised recycling approach across the UK.

Let’s make change happen together before we ruin our planet for good!

Authors: ​#B329LeadershipChallenge Blue Team (Barry Verdin Cohort) 

Sue Styles, Joe Wilson, Sophie Whitham, Jelena Jelic, Petra Menhart