Britain's Rubbish

Dispatches goes undercover to investigate the waste industry, including exposing the criminals who make a fortune out of Britain's waste mountain.

Reporter Simon Barnes penetrates deep into the murky world of illegal dumping and exposes the criminals who put two fingers up to the law. With environmental issues at the top of the agenda, we're all being told to recycle. But what actually happens to the stuff? Simon also goes undercover to work at one of the country's top recycling companies and finds that huge amounts are not recycled at all but end up in landfill.

Recycling: the Issues

• The UK produces more than 434 million tonnes of waste every year. This would fill the Albert Hall in London in less than 2 hours. > Waste Online
• Glass takes so long to break down that glass made in the Middle East over 3000 years ago can still be found today.
• Babies' nappies makes up about 2 % of the average household rubbish. This is equivalent to the weight of nearly 70,000 double decker buses every year. If lined up front to end, the buses would stretch from London to Edinburgh.
• On average, reusable nappies can offer parents a cost saving of at least £100 and up to £300 if you launder them yourself. They can also be used for a second baby. Recycle now
• People in the East of England continue to lead the way in the UK in recycling and composting just over half of all their household waste. >Defra
• Less energy is required to create a recycled product than a new product. Reducing and reusing are other ways that we can conserve energy, natural resources, and money.

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