Recycling reduces the quantity of waste taking up precious landfill space. It also cuts the energy needed to manufacture new components, and so helps to reduce pollution and consumption of natural resources. Several European countries are already recycling over 50% of packaging waste, and the European Union will soon increase packaging recycling targets. Recycling targets are now being set for old cars, electronic and electric equipment and batteries.
| What the European Union does | What YOU can do |
| Find out what the European Union has done, and is doing now, to help cut down the amount of waste produced every year. | What can YOU do to reduce the amount of waste you produce? |
Schemes for recycling paper, plastic and glass in Europe are already showing encouraging results. Attention has now turned to recycling worn-out cars and electric and electronic equipment.
Composting is nature's way of recycling its own waste. It can be carried out by local councils or at home. It is easy, economical, organic and useful...
