Gateshead International Stadium filled with waste
Gateshead residents produce over 100,000 tonnes of household waste every year, enough to fill Gateshead International Stadium!
This figure includes waste from bins at properties, 'bulky' special collections, street litter and waste material taken to our two waste and recycling centres - Cowen Road, Blaydon and Campground, Wrekenton.
On average, each household within the Gateshead borough produces just over one tonne of waste each year.
The Waste we Produce in Gateshead and the Cost of Disposal
-
It is anticipated that the amount of waste produced in Gateshead will continue to rise year on year by around 3% and at this rate will double over the next 24 years
-
Waste disposal is very expensive and in 2004/2005 was estimated to cost £4.0m.
-
There is a special tax imposed by central government for every tonne of waste going for disposal. In 2005, the tax stands at £18 per tonne of waste and will rise by £3 per tonne each year
The benefits of recycling
Recycling turns materials that would otherwise become waste into valuable resources and generates a host of environmental, financial and social benefits.
After collection, recyclable materials such as paper, glass and cans are separated and sent to facilities that can process them into new materials or new products.
-
Saves natural resources
-
Provides valuable raw materials to industry· Reduces energy consumption
-
We are rapidly exhausting our valuable landfill space
-
Less waste is produced therefore not using up that scarce landfill space
-
It helps divert potentially valuable materials away from landfill sites
-
Your waste becomes the raw materials manufacturers use to produce new items