Plastic Planet
Over the last century, plastic has become part of everyday life. From bottles and bags to plastic pots, tubs and trays our lives are full of it. And so is the planet. 79% of the plastic waste ever created has ended up in our environment. We're becoming a plastic planet. But we don't have to – if we recycle.
About plastic planet
From the sea to the land, Earth is becoming a Plastic Planet. Most of the plastic waste in the UK doesn't actually end up in our oceans, but a lot is disposed of in our environment – burned or buried in landfill sites. People are increasingly worried about this and its impact on nature, and they're right to be. 79% of the plastic waste ever created is still in our environment. We are leaving a legacy of plastic waste on our planet that will take years to put right.
79%
of the plastic waste ever created is still in our environment.
The recycling gap
Despite a huge rise in recycling rates over the past few years, there is a big difference between what we are recycling and what we could be. This is the recycling gap. We need to close it.
More and more people are recycling but we still only recycle 58% of our plastic bottles – that's a 42% gap. Plastic bottles are accepted for recycling by 99% of local councils in the UK. We only recycle 32% of the plastic pots, tubs and trays we buy and these are widely collected for recycling.
It all adds up to plastic being needlessly burned or dumped in landfill every year. Some of that plastic ends up polluting our environment. We all do our bit to recycle, but we can still do more.
42%
we still only recycle 58% of our plastic bottles – that's a 42% gap.
What can you do?
If you don't already recycle plastic it's as simple as getting a recycling bin from your local council and then putting it out on collection day. Check what types of plastic you can recycle at home by using our Recycling Locator.
If you are already recycling some of the plastic you buy, you can take the next step by finding out what else you can recycle to stop them becoming part of the environment. Remember, if its plastic and bottle shaped its recyclable including all those from the bathroom like shampoo and bleach bottles.
Together we are closing the recycling gap and saying no to a Plastic Planet.
Recycling plastics is easier than ever.