Reasons to recycle

Recycling and the collection of waste are very much in the news and in people’s thoughts. As a council it is clear we must find a way of getting people to recycle more, because:

  • Space on landfill is running out.
  • Rubbish buried in landfill is seriously harming the environment.
  • We are not recycling enough. If we do not increase our recycling figures by 80% in the next three years we – the council and council tax payers – will be hit hard in the pocket with huge seven-figure fines.

The facts

  • Even though residents in south Wiltshire are already recycling 40 tonnes daily, we still send over 130 tonnes of rubbish to landfill each day. The council estimates that a further 50 tonnes per day could easily be recycled.
  • In 2006/7 south Wiltshire sent 33,913 tonnes of rubbish to landfill. Enough rubbish to fill a football pitch – 51 metres high.
  • In comparison, south Wiltshire recycled just 10,390tonnes of waste in 2006/7.
  • Old landfill sites can leak leachate into surrounding land and watercourses.
  • As biodegradable waste decomposes in landfill sites it creates methane gas and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that are known to affect global warming.
  • It is estimated that the landfill site at Lower Compton in Calne, the current destination for our rubbish, will run out of space in 2012.
Find out about your 'carbon footprint' at www.carboncounted.co.uk

How can I recycle?

Contact details:

Telephone:
01722 434319 or 434320

email:
enhmail@salisbury.gov.uk

Postal address:
Environmental Services
Salisbury District Council
PO Box 2126
Salisbury
SP2 2DJ