Why Recycle?
 We are consuming natural resources at an unsustainable rate. Each year, in Southwark, the average household generates about one tonne of waste. Quite a lot of this waste ends up in a landfill site in East London, where the biodegradable waste generates methane, a powerful greenhouse gas - over 20 times more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide (CO2).
Recycling in the UK saves the equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions of taking 5 million cars off the roads each year.
So recycling is not just a nice idea; we are serious about climate change and we all need to support efforts to increase recycling.
Recycling conserves resources
When we recycle, used materials are made into new products, reducing the need to use natural resources. If we don't recycle, new products are made by extracting fresh, raw materials from the Earth, through mining and forestry.
Recycling helps conserve important raw materials and protects natural habitats.
Recycling saves energy
Using recycled materials to manufacture new products uses less energy than is needed to produce new products from raw materials.
It takes a lot of energy to extract, refine, transport and process raw materials ready for industry, compared with providing industry-ready materials.
Recycling helps protect the environment
Recycling reduces the need for extracting (mining, quarrying and logging), refining and processing raw materials all of which create substantial air and water pollution.
As recycling saves energy, it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to tackle climate change.
Recycling reduces landfill
When we recycle, used materials are reprocessed into new products, which reduces the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites. Landfill sites in the UK produce about a quarter of the UK’s emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
Landfill is the worst environmental option for waste.
Recycling empowers the community
Recycling helps make residents feel a part of the community, working together to help make a difference for a cleaner greener Southwark. The recycling industry also creates local jobs.
You could win money by recycling!
By recycling you could be in with a chance of winning one of our monthly prizes. Find out how you could win money with Recycling Rewards.
You could be fined if you don't recycle!
If you don't recycle you could be fined. Find out about recycling enforcement.
How to recycle
Everyone in Southwark can recycle paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, food tins, drink cans, aerosols, foil, and plastics. Find out exactly what items you can recycle.
How can I reduce my waste?
There are lots of simple ways you can reduce the amount of waste you create.
What are we doing?
There a lots of important reasons why we should all recycle. Find out what we're doing to help recycling in Southwark.
Contact us
For more information about recycling or reducing your waste, please contact us.
Recycling unit
Tel: 020 7525 2000
environment@southwark.gov.uk
30-34 Penrose Street
London
SE17 3DW
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