The UK is under pressure from new EU proposals to significantly reduce the amount of waste that we as a country currently dispose of through landfill. The new plans would see a target set whereby we recycle at least 70% of municipal rubbish and 80% of packaging by the year 2030. It would also look to introduce a ban on burying recyclable waste in landfill by 2025. The last set of government figures, published in November of last year, showed that the UK currently recycles just 43.2% of waste; some way below these new targets. At WT Skip Hire we take waste management extremely serious, and we are proud to recycle around 90% of the contents of our skips at our recycling centre. The question is – once you have thrown your waste in our skips, what happens to it?
- Wood: Most of the wood we receive is shredded and either turned into bedding for animals or bio fuels. Some is also used in the wood burner at our recycling centre to heat the building.
- Plastics: The mixed plastics we receive are cut into small flakes, washed and then melted down in order to create new products.
- Metals: Similarly to plastics, ferrous and non-ferrous metal are transferred to plants to be melted down and turned into new products.
- Textiles: Textiles are split into two categories; ‘good quality’ and ‘low grade’. The good quality clothes are re-used, particularly in developing countries. Low grade textiles on the other hand are commonly used as wiper rag or fill material.
- Glass: Whilst some of the glass we receive is ground down to be reused in construction projects; the majority, similarly to plastic and metals, is melted down and is used to create new glass.
- Plate Glass: We receive many everyday objects such as mirrors and shower screens. The glass from these is taken to a third party to be recycled for use as glass cullet or aggregates.
- Rubble and Soil: The rubble we receive is crushed and reused in construction projects; whilst soil can be reused for landscaping and restoration.
- Card and Paper: Old card and paper is cleaned and pulped at paper mills, ready to be recycled into new material.
- Green Waste: Once shredded the green waste we receive is turned into compost.
As you can see, there aren't many things that cannot be recycled. You can find out more about our waste management services by clicking here. 