UK households produced 30.5 million tonnes of waste in 2003/04, of which 17% was collected for recycling. This figure is still quite low compared to some of our neighbouring EU countries, some recycling over 50% for their waste. There is still a great deal of waste which could be recycled that ends up in landfill sites which is harmful to the environment. Recycling is an excellent way of saving energy and conserving the environment. Did you know that: 1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to power a television for 3 hours. 1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes. 1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours. 70% less energy is required to recycle paper compared with making it from raw materials.

The facilities that you have available for recycling may be very different to those of your neighbours in the county next to where you live. It depends on where you live and on which Local Authority manages your waste and recycling collections as to what is collected, how it is collected and how often. You may not have access to a kerbside collection service and will then have to rely on bring banks and mini recycling centres. Because of these reasons, it is very difficult to offer specific advice about methods of recycling that will be relevant nationally – so the best thing to do is to visit your local council’s website or telephone them directly to see what is available to you locally.Having said that, however, below is a rough guide to some general rules about recycling and reducing waste. Information on what happens next to the items that you recycle have also been included because these are valuable resources. Nothing goes to waste if you recycle.

Pollution can be local or widespread. Substances dumped into a river will often end up in the sea. The biggest pollution problem is global warming. This happens when greenhouse gases, such as CO2 are released into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the planet to warm up. Since species are adapted to particular climates, when the Earth warms up they have to move to keep comfortable. This can be difficult if natural habitats are isolated by human settlements and agriculture.

Stockton Council recognises that our daily operations have significant impacts on local and global environment. For that reason, we are committed to improve our long-term environmental performance and to reduce environmental impacts to levels that are economically viable, technologically achievable and practical.We would like to become a role model to demonstrate to businesses and the community, the benefits of improving environmental practices. We will comply with, and where practical exceed, all the relevant environmental regulations and legislations.