Net-Cyrmu www.net-cymru.co.uk
 Eich Gwefan Chi / YOUR Site on the Internet


Recycling in Pembrokeshire


What is being recycled?

At present at least some centres offer the following recycling facilities:

  • Bottle banks
  • Can banks
  • Waste oil bank
  • Textile bank
  • Paper bank
  • Wellington boot (PBC) bank
  • Scrap metal bank
  • Green waste (garden waste)
  • Gas cylinder retrieval point
  • Vehicle batteries accepted
  • Gas cylinder retrieval point



Some facts about recycling

  • About 80-90% of household waste goes into landfill sites, much of the rest is burrnt.
  • Burning produces smoke, ash and dangerous chemicals such as dioxine
  • About 75% of all waste produce could be recycled.
  • Steel cans are recyclable. This saves about 75% of the energy required to produce them.
  • Recycling aluminium cans can save up to 90% of the energy required to produce them.
  • Glass accounts for about 8% of household waste. The most energy-efficient system is to reuse glass containers. Many European countries use refillable bottles.
  • Over 35% of household waste is plastic.
  • Almost all plastic is at present made from non-renewable oil.
  • About 70% of plastic could be recycled.
  • About 25% of textiles are reused, either by selling through charity shops or sending them to third world countries.
  • About 5-7 million tonnes of organic waste are thrown away each year. This can be composted and used as fertiliser.
  • Batteries are a huge environmental hazard, yet in Britain we get through about 400 million per year.
  • About 100,000 tonnes per year of motor oil is not recovered and goes into the envioironment.
  • Tyres can be retreaded and reused, used as protection on boats, used in children's playgrounds, made into "crumb" and used in road surfaces. Vast numebers are either burnt or go into landfill sites.
  • Many household appliances such as refrigerators contain dangerous substances.
  • Wellington boots are made of PVC, which is infinitely recyclable.



Recycling league table:

  • Japan (40%)
  • Finland (20%)
  • Australia (16%)
  • Germany (10%)
  • United Kingdom (6%)
  • Rhondda Cynon Taff (Wales) (2%)


Thank you to the West Wales ECO Centre (www.ecocentre.org.uk) for supplying most of the above information.



This Website contains information from a variety of sources. References on this site to individuals and organisations does not imply a support on their part for Net-Cymru - see Site Objectives and Policies

This page was last updated on 8 August 2000 __________ Back to:net-cymru Home Page