Environment

Good news: Total municipal waste decreased by just over 0.2 million tonnes in the year to the end of June 2008, falling from 28.5 million tonnes to 28.3 million tonnes (minus 0.7%).

The total household waste component decreased from 25.3 to 25.2 million tonnes. In addition less waste was sent to landfill, reducing from 15.5 to 15.1 million tonnes.

Household recycling increased from 34.5% between April 2007 and March 2008 to 35.5% between July 2007 and June 2008 and the residual household waste (after recycling) decreased from 329kg per head between April 2007 and March 2008 to 321 kg per head between July 2007 and June 2008.

SSLC: The ever increasing costs of taking waste to landfill sites and the increasing awareness and use of recycling facilities is starting to have positive effects on how we dispose of our rubbish but there is a long way to go and available space in landfill sites will not meet our needs unless we continue to reuse and recycle. At Surrey and South London Clearances we endeavour to recycle or find a use for 70% plus of the clearance materials we remove. This is done through local charities, various points of resale and general recycling.