|
Number of UK adults claiming to recycle |
||
| 2007 | 2006 | |
| Paper | 41.3 | 41.3 |
| Glass | 38.5 | 37.6 |
| Metal | 35.3 | 33.3 |
| Thin card | 31.0 | 29.1 |
| Thick card | 29.6 | 27.7 |
| Plastic | 31.0 | 28.2 |
| Green waste | 29.1 | 28.2 |
| Textiles | 26.8 | 26.3 |
| Food waste | 15.9 | 13.6 |
| Batteries | 11.7 | N/A |
| Oils | 3.7 | 2.8 |
| Don't recycle | 2.3 | 2.3 |
And, more people have taken up plastic recycling since last year than any other material, it suggests.
The findings, from environmental consultancy Hyder, are based upon an online survey of the recycling habits of 1566 adults in 2007 and 16000 adults in 2006 from throughout the UK.
Compiled in a report entitled the 2007 Waste Index, the research documents how many householders claim to recycle a range of materials including textiles, garden waste and oils.
It revealed that people were collecting more of every waste stream except for paper, however, this remained the most popular material to recycle with an estimated 41 million people collecting it.
Glass recycling collections also remained steady with around 39 million householders believed to take part.
“Revolution”
Chris Evans, head of environmental services at Hyder Consulting, said: “This report highlights the fact that a revolution has begun in UK domestic waste recycling, with most people attempting to incorporate an element of sustainability into their everyday life.”
He explained: “The idea of green living has been around for many years now, but it is only over the past 12 months or so that individuals have started to put these ideas into practice.”
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