Did you know that over 316,000 tonnes of plastic bottles were collected for recycling from UK households in 2012? That’s a recycling rate of 58% and means that:
- An estimated 7 billion plastic bottles were collected for recycling – that’s 19 million bottles every day.
- Nearly 5 billion plastic bottles were sent to landfill in 2012 – that’s nearly 14 million plastic bottles every day.
- Overall this means the average UK household uses over 440 plastic bottles per year, but only recycles just over 250 of them!
That’s just over a half. So what is happening to the rest of these bottles?
If you aren’t sure what and how to recycle you just need to follow this simple guidance:
And if you aren’t sure where can you recycle, please just follow this link and enter your post code. As a result you will see your local map with your all nearest recycling banks including textile, glass, batteries and of course plastic. But remember you can recycle most plastics in your recycling bin at home, so there is no need for any travels 🙂
Recycling just one more bottle a day will make a real difference.
These bottles really go to a good use.
I came across Best Recycled Plastic Products Awards. Do you know what products won in 2013?
Surprisingly the first place was awarded to uBin which is dedicated to encourage responsible recycling in offices, schools, hospitals and other typical working environments.
Second prize was awarded to the vinyPlus façade panels, made from 100% recycled PVC and coated with a weather-proof top layer.
The eco-core staple fibres made from recycled PET bottles won the third prize. I had no idea that you can even get a duvet made from plastic.
If you want to read more about last year awards please check out this link.
To highlight the many ways plastic can be given a new life if recycled, internationally renowned designer and stylist, Abigail Ahern, has channelled her uniquely quirky and recognisable style into designing her first ever bespoke phone cover, which is made from 80 percent recycled plastic bottles.
One thousand limited edition phone covers, available for iPhone 5C/S and Samsung S5, have been designed exclusively for #Pledge4Plastics, to reward those who register their support online, tweet @pledge4plastics or like the official Pledge 4 Plastics Facebook page.
Why not make your Pledge 4 Plastics at http://www.pledge4plastics.co.uk/pledge for your chance to win and join the plastics recycling revolution?
Bark Time = everything and nothing 
Recycling is so easy to do and so important as well.
Amazing post and such a great thing to highlight. Recycling is soooo important. I live on a military base where its mandatory which im really thankful for. Great post!
Great post, we recycle as much as possible.
Wow! How cool are these? What a great cause.
Some people don’t realize how important recycling is.
Recycling is so easy to do and it’s very important too. More people should do it.
xx Lisa
Those are some good numbers. I wonder what the US’s rate is.
Recylcling is always very important and everyone should realize this… thanks for sharing ! GigLove
This is such interesting information about recycling plastic bottles. Thanks for writing a post about it.
Many people think that recycling is a boring process, however, if people can use their creativity and recreate those recyclable materials it would be very interesting. Lanfill is not the end point and will never be the best solution for the large pollution. All we need to do is to start being a green artist, and make a better environment by using our creativity. Upcycling will be a good opportunity for us to approach the pollution problem. I am currently doing a campaign called A Little Sparkle in Life (http://alittlesparkleinlife.wordpress.com/), aiming to raise the awareness of recycling and upcycling as well as encouraging people to get involved in this activity. I am hoping people can realize we should do something for the environment, not only for us but also for the future generation!
We recycle loads at home, I chew up the plastic bottles first and squash then down before we put them out for the big monster to collect 🙂
I recycle obsessively. It’s the least I can do for my planet.