Environment

The recycling rate of plastic containers still lags behind that of other packaging materials despite a big increase in the past three years, according to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap).

Although 60% more people are recycling plastic containers now compared with 2004 – an increase second only to drinks cans – the overall rate still stands at only 58% of the population.

Paper is recycled by 92%, glass by 85%, card by 75% and cans by 74%, according to a Wrap survey.

Common to all materials, however, is the fact that not everyone recycles where it is possible to do so.

The rate of recycling of food waste also remains low, at 28%, despite doubling in three years.
 
Wrap has conducted surveys into recycling habits approximately three times a year since the Recycle Now campaign launched in 2004.

From the latest edition, it concluded that 61% of the UK population were "committed recyclers", and 94% regarded it as something "important".

Wrap has also said that "quality" needs to be the driving force behind investment in the UK's recycling infrastructure.

"Quality is the linchpin on which the economic viability of recycling turns," said chief executive Liz Goodwin.