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The amount of electrical waste we throw away is increasing by around 5% each year, making it the fastest growing waste stream in the UK.
Each year in the UK we go throw away over 1.2 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste. That is the equivalent of 150 thousand double decker buses!
This increase is mainly down to:
- new technologies being developed
- affluent society
- throw away lifestyle
Over 75% of waste electrical goods end up in landfill, where lead and other toxins contained in the electrical goods can cause soil and water contamination.
This can have a very harmful effect on natural habitat, wildlife and also human health. When situated near populated areas these toxins can cause problems to
communities as their water and soil is polluted.
Many of the electrical items that we throw away can be repaired or recycled. Recycling items helps to save natural finite resources and also reduces the
environmental and health risks associated with sending waste electrical goods to landfill.
To minimise our impact on this earth and to protect the environment for future generations it is important that we are all aware of the consequences of our
actions and how we can make a difference.
Click here to find out how you can recycle-more!
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