This year marks the 12th year of Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week 12th - 18th November, 2007.

This year National Recycling Week has two complementary aims.

The first is to link the benefits of recycling to the fight against global warming. Recycling aids in the fight against global warming by reducing the amount of new materials we use to sustain out lifestyle, for example, making an aluminium can from recycled material uses 95% less energy than making one from material. By recycling organic material, like food scraps and garden cuttings, we reduce the amount of methane produced by landfills. Methane is a greenhouse gas 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.

The second aim is to encourage individuals and businesses to Recycle More and Recycle Better. Research conducted by Pollinate Green for Planet Ark, and sponsored by Bartercard, shows that about 50% of businesses recycle any of the glass, metal and tin cans and plastics used on their premises. It’s great that these businesses are recycling but there’s still room for improvement. That research also showed that 80% of people wrongly believed they can put drinkware glass in their home recycling. As little a 5 grams (the size of a 10 cent piece) of this glass is enough to contaminate an entire tonne of recyclable bottle and jar glass – sending it to landfill.

When we Recycle More we reduce our impact on the Earth. When we Recycle Better we make the whole process more efficient.

(From Planet Ark's National Recycling Week website)

You can find detailed information about your local council's recycling facilities by searching at Recycling Near You!