We need to do more on glass rates

AN Oldham MEP is urging local councils to match European rates of glass recycling.

A new report by the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) says that the UK recycled only 61 per cent of the glass it produced in 2008 compared with 96 per cent in Belgium.

On average, EU countries recycle 65 per cent of their glass.

Although Britain is still under-performing, Oldham Euro-MP Chris Davies says that good progress has been made in recent years.

Mr Davies, who leads the Liberal Democrats on the powerful environment committee in the European Parliament, said that recycling glass saves energy, raw materials, money and landfill space.

He said: “We were slow to start, and we are not there yet, but at least Britain is moving in the right direction.

“Local councils have raised their game and need now to match the best that is already being achieved elsewhere in Europe.”

The energy savings from recycling one glass bottle can power a:

:: Sixty-watt bulb for 100 minutes.

:: Computer for 25 minutes.

:: Colour TV for 20 minutes.

:: Washing machine for 10 minutes.

If the average family recycled all the glass they used in a year they would save enough energy to power a colour TV through 210 episodes of “Coronation Street”, according to the British Glass Manufacturers Confederation.