Recycling slashes UK carbon emissions

Recycling has reduced the UK’s carbon emissions by between 10 and 15 million tonnes per annum – the equivalent of taking 3.5 million cars off the country’€™s roads, according to the government-backed Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP).
Official figures indicate that recycling of domestic refuse has almost doubled in the UK over the last three years. However, a report from WRAP warns that the UK’€™s recycling rate is still not as high as those achieved in many other European countries. The organisation also suggests that the UK is suffering the effects of a lack of high-quality recycling centres.
Also in the UK, leading retailer Marks & Spencer has announced a £200 million (Euro 300 million) plan to cut the environmental impact of its operations. Among other initiatives, the company is pledging to: use packaging made from sustainable or recycled materials; ensure polyester clothing is made from recycled plastic bottles; reduce packaging by some 25%; reduce its use of plastic carrier bags; and print symbols on packaging to help customers identify recyclable materials.
The company is also planning to trial closed-loop recycling in six of its cafes.