New data reveals a decline in the percentage of household waste sent for recycling in Hillingdon last year.
Hillingdon Council collected 96,429 tonnes of waste in the year leading up to March 2023, with only 37.1% of that amount being directed towards reuse, recycling, or composting. This marks a decrease from the previous year's recycling rate of 38.2%. The overall recycling rate in England also saw a drop, falling from 42.5% in 2021-22 to 41.7% in the past year, with all regions experiencing declines except for London, which remained unchanged.
Keep Britain Tidy, an environmental charity, emphasized the need for a simpler recycling system in England to catch up with European counterparts. Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, the charity's chief executive, expressed disappointment at the decreasing recycling rates, urging producers to adopt recyclable packaging and implement user-friendly recycling systems.
Despite the overall decrease in waste collected by local authorities in England, Ogden-Newton stressed the importance of reducing the amount of individual waste generated. She advocated for the reduction of unnecessary purchases and encouraged repairing and reusing existing items.
In Hillingdon, the recorded household waste per person dropped from 354.1 kilograms in 2021-22 to 316.4 kilograms last year. However, Darren Rodwell, the environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), emphasized the need for tailored waste reduction strategies, acknowledging the diverse needs of different communities.
Rodwell suggested that increased recycling rates could be achieved through collaboration with businesses and manufacturers to enhance waste reduction and promote package reuse. Additionally, he called for clarity regarding the government's plans to reform waste and recycling.
Environment minister Robbie Moore acknowledged the importance of waste reduction and increased recycling for environmental protection. While he noted an overall decrease in household waste, he recognized the slight decline in recycling rates. Moore affirmed the government's commitment to developing a new, straightforward approach to recycling, aiming to make recycling more accessible and efficient nationwide.
Comments