RECYCLING CONTAINERS OF LIQUIDS FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION

An investigation of the recycling of food packaging materials within the UK is described, given the introduction of the EEC Directive on the containers of liquids for human consumption (85/339/EEC). There are considerable energy savings associated with recycling. Glass and metals can be effectively recycled, but participation levels are too low. The main conclusion is that there are few technical problems associated with recycling — but there is a major political problem. Until such time as the electoral system is changed to proportional representation, the importance of ecological issues will be poorly represented.