North-South Divide In Glass Recycling

A survey commissioned for National Glass Week, held 16-22 June 2003, revealed a geographical divide in recycling rates: only 50% of people living in the north of the country currently recycle some or all of the glass compared to two-thirds of those living in the south. The survey showed that the recycling instinct was stronger amongst those aged 35-64 and that, worryingly, younger people need more encouragement to play their part in helping the environment. The 587,000 tonnes of glass recycled in Britain in 2001 saved 202,515,000 kWh of energy, which is enough to drive a car around the earth 6,648 times! This quantity of glass is equivalent to 2.2BN bottles and jars. Every household in Britain uses on average 331 bottle and jars per year.