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WE ARE OPEN

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NO physical contact with our drivers during visits
ALL communications and paperwork sent via telephone or email
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ALL staff are strictly following our Coronavirus Safety Policy

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Waste plastic from the UK is polluting the globe

Waste plastic from the United Kingdom polluting the globe!

Literally thousands of tons of plastic scrap collected for recycling from British households have been transported and dumped on sites across the world. This shocking revelation was revealed from a recent freedom of information request.

Apparently some experts have warned that there is no other solution for dealing with waste which is now stockpiled in countries as far away as Poland and Hong Kong than to consign it to landfill.

But why is this happening? The simple answer is money! The practice of sending our waste plastic overseas makes it more lucrative to export our plastic recycling than to process it ourselves.

More importantly it raises serious concerns that this practice could be inflating our recycling rates and failing to channel investment into recycling here in the United Kingdom. Even British government ministers have acknkowledged that the UK has been exporting too much waste, and that we need to make sure that we reduce the amount that we produce and also process more of it at home.

Why are plastics exported?

Every year British households throw twenty two million tons of waste into the rubbish bin. EU targets demand that we recycle half of that by 2020, sadly we only seem to be managing about a 44% recycling rate.

Cheaper land and labour abroad means a lot of our plastic is exported to be reprocessed. But the reality is that once the rubbish leaves our shores, no one ensures that it is actually recycled. Entire shipments of waste have been traced to the far east from Britain that simply end up in landfill instead of being recycled.

The most reported problem from overseas is that the receiving party expected to receive only clear bottles, but the load was contaminated with so many other materials, it was too expensive to sort and recycle as the intention had been originally. When this happens, the waste materials simply end up in landfill.

The problem is that if the shipment has been registered as recycled by the exporter in Britain, it counts towards Britains recycling targets, whether it is actually recycled or not.

Another reason to export our plastic waste is down to demand from overseas. For example, China had been importing millions of tons of plastic rubbish every year to make a host of products it can sell back to the rest of the world. Because of this demand, Britain has been sending two thirds of its plastic waste exports to China. However, as stated earlier, all manner of other rubbish was mixed in with it. So in July last year the Chinese government announced it would ban imports of the worlds plastics from January 2018, this means the United Kingdom will have to find somewhere else to take its unwanted waste plastics.

Because of the Chinese ban on poor quality waste plastic exports from the United Kingdom, other countries may end up with our waste plastic and the vicious cycle repeats itself again. In Thailand for example, it was recently noted that waste from everyday British household goods, including branded packaging that is only available here, had been stacked up on a dock for over a year.

What can be done to help reduce this waste issue?

Recycling businesses, exporters and councils have all stressed the importance of the public putting the correct recycling in the correct bins. But they called on the Government to do more to create a system the public can trust and really get behind.

Industry hoped that plans would be laid out in the Governments twenty five year environment plan, which was published in January 2017. The plan promised to reform the relevant waste regulations but provided no detail on how it would do so. It also pledged more information in its resources and waste strategy, which is due out during 2018.

Although apparently negative, many have suggested that the China ban could be positive opportunity for Britain to tackle their waste plastic issue. It could force us in the United Kingdom to rethink how we deal with our plastics after we use it.

One thing is for certain, if we continue exporting plastics abroad, particularly where the infrastructure is worse than in China, we could go on believing our waste is being recycled when it isn't. The last thing we want is for our plastic waste to be burned or be treated in a way that is negative for the local environment, wherever that may be.

Until we have sorted our waste issues out, we have to start taking more responsibility for our own waste, as the amount of plastics we produce keeps on increasing.

Hoarding costs you money

Many hoarding behaviours can be put down to past experiences the individual has gone through. This may be periods of abject poverty, that makes them feel the need to hoard items just in case they could be used to good effect at a later stage. It is now thought that hoarding can adversely affect your finances. This may sound like a strange statement to make, but a bad financial situation is something we all want to avoid.

Time to have a good clearout

We've all been there. Our house has become a little cluttered and we feel the need to have a good tidy up. Many refer to it as a spring clean, but any time of year is a good time to de-clutter our living space. Having a good tidy up not only clears your house, it will help to clear your mind too. Research has shown that living in a cluttered environment can even have adverse effects on a person's sleep.

Fly tipping: what's the problem in Graveley?

Illegal dumping is the proper name for fly tipping and it is typically distinguished from littering because of the type and amount of material left and the way in which it is disposed of. Fly tipping has always been a problem in Graveley and indeed all over Hertfordshire.

The waste consequences of Covid

In an age where we are constantly looking for ways to cut down on our waste, it seems strange that so much extra waste has been created by the covid pandemic. The vast majority of this is made from plastic, so surely it could be recycled, but when one considers what it has been used for, it renders it potentially hazardous waste.

New Bill designed to ban export of plastic waste

When we throw away our waste materials, few of us know or possibly even wonder where this waste will end up. Many often believe that if it goes into the recycling bin, it will be recycled and therefore they will be doing their bit for the good of the environment. Unfortunately, a good deal of plastic waste often ends up in developing countries.

The problems with waste disposal in Graveley

How many times have we looked at all the waste materials we have accumulated and despaired at the arduous prospect of sorting it into various types of waste to dispose of at the local tip? This once simple task has now become a major headache for many as the restrictions on what we can dispose of in landfill has increased so much in recent times.

Plastic pollution around the globe

Plastic pollution is now one of the biggest environmental concerns we have to face. You may feel that large amounts of plastic waste are unavoidable in the world we live in, but you and your family can help with the plastic pollution issue by being aware of its dangers and taking the necessary steps to reduce your plastic waste.

Carbon emissions and the environment

An awful lot has been said over the years about the damage we are doing to our environment with the carbon emissions and waste we produce. Some dispute the possibility that we are damaging our planet beyond repair, while others state quite clearly that we have very little time to change our ways and that time is running out.

How the five R's can dramatically improve our environment in Graveley?

We have all heard of recycling our waste materials and for many years, some councils have provided special recycling bins to help residents avoid putting too much waste into landfill. But recycling is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to helping keep our environment healthy in Graveley.

Recycle or incinerate! What is the best solution for our waste materials in Graveley?

We are constantly being encouraged to recycle our waste materials and not putting them into landfill. However, there appears to be an emerging trend for incineration of waste in many areas, but is this a good or bad step?

Single use plastic products in Graveley

Here at Graveley Skip Hire we always recycle as much of your waste as possible, however, there is always more that can be done to improve the environment that we all need to survive.

A guide to what can and cannot go into a hired skip

At Graveley Skip Hire we are frequently asked what waste materials can be placed into the hired skips we supply. So we thought it would be a good idea to offer a quick guide as to what is and is not acceptable.

Recycling your waste materials in Graveley

Recycling is something most of us do now to some degree. Some do it more than others, but we mostly appreciate that it is an important part of our daily lives. It is more important to recycle waste in order to conserve resources and maintain a healthy environment than ever before. The question is, are we really doing everything possible when it comes to recycling our waste materials? The achances are that many of us are probably not doing all we can. So here are a few tips to help you recycle properly.

The problem with plastic pollution in Hertfordshire

Waste reduction in Hertfordshire

The country is now committed to reducing the amount of waste and the government have set targets for waste reduction. A new plan for cutting waste was published back in 2007 that aimed for at least 40 per cent of household waste to be recycled or composted by 2010, this rose to 50 per cent by 2020.

Plastic waste from the United Kingdom may be sent overseas instead of recycled

Massive amounts of packaging waste is being sent overseas to be recycled and turned into new products. However, concerns have been raised that in reality a good deal of it is being dumped in landfill sites in countries that we have no agreement with.

Just how recyclable is the plastic we use in Graveley Skip Hire

We all know that plastic is recyclable, so as long as we put it in the correct bin it will be made into something else useful. Sadly this is a myth that all too many people believe, the painful truth is quite the opposite. We have all seen the triangular set of chasing arrows logo on plastic products and seem to automatically assume that it denotes that the product is recyclable.

What happens to all the plastic we throw out

Just where would we be without plastic? The production of plastic has exploded over the last fifty or so years, growing from 16.5 million tons in 1964 to 343 million tons in 2014; it is expected to double by 2036. The question is, where does all of this plastic go when people in Hertfordshire throw it away?

Fly tipping: A modern day curse

Fly tipping is simply another term used to describe illegal dumping of all manner of waste material, it is also called fly dumping. Whatever term is used, it is the dumping of waste illegally instead of using an authorised method such as kerbside collection or using an authorised rubbish dump. It is the illegal deposit of any waste onto land, including waste dumped or tipped on a site with no licence to accept waste.

Recycled plastic for roads and pavements

Plastic use in road and pavement construction is not exactly a new concept, but it does appear to be increasing. Using plastic waste to make plastic roads is definitely on the upward trend. Plastic roads mainly use plastic carrier bags, disposable cups and PET bottles that are collected from landfill sites prior to burial and are a vital part of this construction material.

Seaweed sachets offer an alternative to plastic

Indonesia has a wealth of naturally growing seaweed that can make an edible, water permeable film that can be used in sachets that hold tea, coffee, and hot cocoa as well as a whole host of other useful daily consumable products.

The increasing problem of plastics in our oceans

The amount of plastic in the oceans of the world is predicted to treble in the next ten years unless affirmative action is taken to deal with the problem, according to a new report just published.

Plastic pollution in the ocean starts from the rivers

A scary statistic is that more than eight million tons of waste plastic ends up in the ocean every single year. If we continue to pollute our oceans at this rate, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 and it can take many years to break down if at all, not to mention the toxins it leaches in the process.

Ways to reduce your plastic waste

Plastic is a great product in so many ways, but the environmental impact it can have is enormous, particularly when it comes to the single use plastic products we seem to uses on a daily basis in our throw away society. Can we as private individuals do to cut down our personal plastic usage?

Plastic microbeads are a load of rubbish

Would you like to fill your mouth with plastic, or cover other parts of your anatomy with it on a regular basis? The answer would most likely be a resounding no, but we are already doing just that.

Hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire rather than using the local dump

Have you got a load of rubbish to dump? Is it better to hire a skip or use the local dump? Do you need a permit for having a skip? Can anyone apply for a permit? Here are a few answers which could help you when hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire

Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your garden waste

No matter what the season, a medium sized Hertfordshire garden can generate a massive amount of waste materials. The winter will leave a lot of dead leaves and twiggs from nearby trees to clear up, and when the warmer months hit, the waste is generated on a weekly basis as things grow rapidly.

Get a skip and avoid fly tipping in Hertfordshire

Not only does fly tipping blight the Hertfordshire countryside around us, it can have a devastating effect on the wildlife that we co-exist with. Then of course there is the eye watering cost of clearing up the mess that inconsiderate people have created. We all pay the price for this ecologically unsound practice through increased council tax bills from our councils. This could all be avoided if everyone disposed of their waste in the correct manner and hiring a skip is probably the best way to go about this, particularly if you have a large amount of waste to dispose of.

Some facts about waste and recycling from Graveley Skip Hire

The United Kingdom produces over 100 million tonnes of waste every single year. If you consider that one tonne is about the weight of a small car, it is easy to see how it mounts up. In less than two hours, the waste we produce would fill the Albert Hall.

Hire a skip instead of going to your local Hertfordshire tip

Using a local Hertfordshire tip is not the same as it was a few years ago. These days everything has to go in the correct hopper, it cannot all go in the same one any longer. This means you have to know what goes where in order to segregate all the rubbish at home.

Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your soil and mud

A Hertfordshire client recently hired one of our skips as they just could not believe how much earth they had to get rid of when they dug out a pond in their back garden. Our client had intended to build up their flower beds and other low spots of their garden with the excavated earth. They never thought they would need to get rid of any earth at all.

Useful information about skip hire in Hertfordshire

The one question we get asked the most at Graveley Skip Hire is what size skip the customer will need. We always suggest that you think about what you need to dispose of and remember that two skips can be far more expensive than one larger skip. Skips are measured by the yard and range from 3 yard mini skips to roll-on roll-off containers more suitable for higher volume waste requirements.

Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire to save you time effort and money

Hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire is without a doubt the best way to get rid of all your waste materials! It is convenient, quick, easy and saves you a huge amount of work. Generally speaking, we only get a couple of days a week away from work, and when you end up ferrying your household waste back and forth from the local tip, your weekend soon gets swallowed up.

The benefits of skip hire from Graveley Skip Hire in Hertfordshire

Having a good clear out of the garden shed or garage produces way more rubbish than you ever imagined possible. Decorating preparation can also produce a good deal of waste, such as old skirting boards and stripped wood chip paper that his been up since the war, so a skip is a great way to dispose of the waste.

Further Information

If you would like to know more or are interested in a quote we would be happy to help. Phone us on 0800 169 8588, email us at info@stevenageskiphire.co.uk or fill in our enquiry form and we will be in touch as soon as possible.

Stevenage Skip Hire Ltd - Envirowaste Recycling Centre - Jacks Hill - Graveley - Herts SG4 7EQ

Stevenage Skip Hire Ltd
Envirowaste Recycling Centre
Jacks Hill
Graveley
Herts SG4 7EQ

Articles :: Areas covered list :: Website map

Articles
Hoarding costs you money
Time to have a good clearout
Fly tipping: what's the problem in Graveley?
The waste consequences of Covid
New Bill designed to ban export of plastic waste
The problems with waste disposal in Graveley
Plastic pollution around the globe
Carbon emissions and the environment
How the five R's can dramatically improve our environment in Graveley?
Recycle or incinerate! What is the best solution for our waste materials in Graveley?
Single use plastic products in Graveley
A guide to what can and cannot go into a hired skip
Recycling your waste materials in Graveley
The problem with plastic pollution in Hertfordshire
Waste reduction in Hertfordshire
Plastic waste from the United Kingdom may be sent overseas instead of recycled
Just how recyclable is the plastic we use in Graveley Skip Hire
What happens to all the plastic we throw out
Fly tipping: A modern day curse
Recycled plastic for roads and pavements
Seaweed sachets offer an alternative to plastic
The increasing problem of plastics in our oceans
Plastic pollution in the ocean starts from the rivers
Ways to reduce your plastic waste
Plastic microbeads are a load of rubbish
Waste plastic from the UK is polluting the globe
Hiring a skip from Graveley Skip Hire rather than using the local dump
Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your garden waste
Get a skip and avoid fly tipping in Hertfordshire
Some facts about waste and recycling from Graveley Skip Hire
Hire a skip instead of going to your local Hertfordshire tip
Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire for your soil and mud
Useful information about skip hire in Hertfordshire
Hire a skip from Graveley Skip Hire to save you time effort and money
The benefits of skip hire from Graveley Skip Hire in Hertfordshire
Areas covered list
Website map

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Waste plastic from the UK is polluting the globe

Waste plastic from the United Kingdom polluting the globe!

Why are plastics exported?

What can be done to help reduce this waste issue?

Other Articles on Waste Management and Recycling in Hertfordshire

Further Information