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Switzerland and the Netherlands already recycle half their waste. Our average in the UK is only about 11 per cent.
news
Paper companies are responsible for destroying large areas of rainforest in Indonesia. Over 70 per cent of Indonesia’s original rainforest has now been destroyed
Most of the things that we throw away could be a valuable resource for someone, somewhere. That’s why when we call something “waste” we are making a mistake. The problem is that we are a nation addicted to chucking stuff out. 
Stuff that we no longer want ends up buried in landfill or burnt in incinerators.These disposal methods pollute our land, water and air. Landfill sites can cause health problems in local communities, pollute our water supplies and release methane (adding to dangerous climate change). And incinerators produce toxic air pollution as well as toxic ash, which then has nowhere to go but into landfill.
Our rubbish is piling up problems for the environment and for the future and our endless
Teachers
Waste & Recycling booklet
video
Every year shoppers in the UK use eight billion plastic carrier bags: that’s 134 each. In March 2002 the Irish government put a tax of 9p on every plastic bag
Teachers need prior knowledge of what happens to our waste after we throw it away, including an understanding of incineration, landfill and recycling. It would be useful to find out where your local recycling centre is so a visit can be arranged and students should know what is meant by rubbish/waste. The link below are to the lesson plans accompanying the above booklet, “Waste & Recycling” which will cover the following curriculum areas: