The world's annual consumption of plastic materials has increased from around 5 million tonnes in the 1950s to nearly 100 million tonnes today.

In the UK, a total of approximately 4.7 million tonnes of plastic products were used in various economic sectors in 2001.

Bigger Picture

The production and use of plastics has a range of environmental impacts.

Degradable Plastics

How are degradable plastics different?

How Is It Recycled?

Details the journey plastics make from your home to becoming a new product

Problems/Issues

Collection, infrastructure and low market demand are barriers to the recycling of some types of plastics.

The Different Types

There are about 50 different groups of plastics, with hundreds of different varieties.

Made From Recycled Plastic

What are the end uses for recycled plastic

More Information

Useful links to plastics information on the web