As Green MEP for London, the third best performing region for recycling in the country, Jean warned that although there have been many improvements, urgent progress still needs to be made before the UK matches the efforts of other EU member states.
Speaking ahead of the launch of the ‘transformation’ themed Recycle Now Week, funded by WRAP, Jean commented; “Each household in the UK produces over 1 tonne of rubbish every year, that’s over 30 million tonnes each year for the UK as a whole. It is vital to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill or incineration and recycling plays its part in that.
“Recycle Now Week 2007 will really inspire people to redouble recycling efforts at home, school and in the office. By recycling just one aluminum can enough energy will be saved to run a television set for three hours – an achievement that is essential as we face the climate crisis before us.
“Compared to the rest of Europe the UK has been slow at implementing European legislations aimed at helping recycling levels and the environment as a whole. What we need to see now is Government support for these opportunities that really could ‘transform’ our future”
ENDS
For more information please contact:Morwenna Holland, Media OfficerTel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812 Email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors: Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice and Human Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the European Parliament for London in the 1999 European elections. She was re-elected in 2004. She is one of nine MEPs representing London and one of two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament.
Recycle Now Week 2007: for more information visit www.recyclenow.com