Letter: Useful waste

Share
+More
Related Topics
Sir: It is sad that such a small percentage of household waste was recycled in 1995/96. But that hardly justifies the headline "Recycling is a wasted effort" (16 January). Those readers who would prefer to put their rubbish to use, rather than see it clog up the countryside in ugly landfill sites, take note: waste can be very worthwhile.

It generates income. In 1996, pounds 10m was paid to aluminium can collectors and if every can used in the UK this year were recycled, nearly pounds 40m would be available for charities, community groups and individuals. It saves energy. Europe's first dedicated aluminium recycling plant, which lies in my constituency, can rescue up to 95 per cent of the energy originally used to make the aluminium from its ore.

And in spite of the gloomy findings from the annual survey that you reported, aluminium recycling, at least, is on the up.

HELEN SOUTHWORTH MP

(Warrington South, Lab)

House of Commons

London SW1

React Now

iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ARCHITECT, SAP

£70000 - £95000 per annum + Bonus, flexible working hours, remote work: Progre...

SAP BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SENIOR CONSULTANT

£50000 - £56000 per annum + Benefits package, flexible working hours: Progress...

Java Developer

£200 - £250 per day: Progressive Recruitment: Java Developer- £200-£250 London...

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE, SENIOR CONSULTANT, SAP

£40000 - £60000 per annum + Excellent benefits, inc bonus & healthcare: Progre...

Day In a Page

Read Next
 

No police officer friends for me, then

Archie Bland
 

Ed Miliband is staring at an open goal and I know just the pair of strikers to win it for him

Matthew Norman
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in