ABSTRACT

Households in the UK each generate around one tonne of waste per year, and the successful management and disposal of this waste is becoming an increasingly important issue. In many cases, recycling is the most sensible option, and the UK government has set a target to recycle a quarter of all household waste by the year 2000. This book gives an overview of the waste management and disposal options currently available, and provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of how recycling could develop. The author – one of the UK's leading experts – looks at how much of the waste is potentially recyclable, shows the various ways in which recyclable materials can be separated and reprocessed, and assesses the existing markets for recyclable materials. He gives an in-depth account of the important subject of packaging recycling, and compares the UK's progress and performance with what is happening elsewhere in Europe. He also discusses how the performance of current recycling schemes can be measured and costed, and forecasts future developments in the industry. Dr Richard Waite is a former Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Environment Select Committee and is currently a consultant with Coopers & Lybrand. He established one of the first commercial MRFs in the country, and has advised many local authorities, central government departments (including the European Commission) and private sector organisations on recycling issues. Originally published in 1995

chapter 1|9 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|9 pages

How Waste Management is Organised

chapter 3|6 pages

What Can Be Recycled?

chapter 4|17 pages

Waste Management Options

chapter 5|20 pages

Collection Options for Recycling

chapter 6|17 pages

The Separation of Recyclable Materials

chapter 7|13 pages

How Recyclable Materials are Reprocessed

chapter 8|17 pages

The Markets for Recyclable Materials

chapter 9|13 pages

The Costs of Recycling

chapter 10|11 pages

Measuring Recycling Performance

chapter 11|20 pages

Packaging and Packaging Waste