The real cost of not recycling: What happens to waste that isn’t recycled?
Every year on April 22nd, Earth Day Invites us to pause and reflect, not just on the beauty of our planet, but on the everyday choices that shape it's future.
Here's a stark reminder:
Recycling is often framed as a positive action ; a way to do good. But have you ever stopped to consider the real cost of not recycling? What actually happens to waste when it's simply thrown 'away'?
Where does non-recycled waste go?
Behind every discarded item is a journey, and when materials aren’t recycled, that journey can have serious consequences.
Landfill: Out of sight, but far from harmless
Waste sent to landfill doesn’t just disappear. In fact, it can take hundreds of years to break down — if it breaks down at all. Worse still, landfills can leak harmful chemicals into the soil and nearby water sources. Organic waste like food scraps rots anaerobically, producing methane — a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂.
Incineration: Burning the problem?
Some waste is burned instead of buried, but incineration isn’t a perfect solution either. While it reduces volume, it releases pollutants and CO₂ into the atmosphere.
Oceans: The final dumping ground
A shocking amount of non-recycled waste ends up in our rivers and oceans. Plastic waste breaks down into microplastics, harming marine life and entering the food chain — even reaching the water we drink.
How non-recycled waste fuels climate change
The environmental impact of waste goes far beyond littered streets or polluted oceans. Waste is a climate issue.
Landfills are one of the largest human-made sources of methane — a gas 25 times more powerful than CO₂ in trapping heat.
Plastic is made from fossil fuels — so every piece of discarded plastic represents lost resources and increased emissions.
Transporting and managing waste consumes energy, adding even more carbon to the atmosphere.
Recycling dramatically reduces energy use. For example, producing recycled aluminium uses 95% less energy than creating it from raw materials. That's a win for the planet and for businesses.
What can we do? Recycling that makes a real difference
Simple tips for individuals:
Rethink the order: Reduce, Reuse, then Recycle
Know your local recycling rules — not everything belongs in the recycling bin
Avoid “wish-cycling” — putting the wrong items in can contaminate whole batches
Compost food waste where possible
Choose packaging that’s recyclable or compostable
How businesses can lead by example:
Set up clear, easy-to-use recycling stations
Educate employees about correct recycling habits
Work with trusted recycling partners like Cawleys
Switch to sustainable materials wherever possible
Measure, track and report waste reduction as part of ESG goals
This Earth Day, choose better
Recycling is one of the simplest, most powerful actions we can take to reduce our environmental impact. But the cost of not recycling — polluted landscapes, rising emissions, and lost resources — is one we simply can’t afford.
At Cawleys, we believe small changes add up. Every recycled item is a step towards a cleaner, greener future.
Recycling isn’t just good for the planet — it’s essential for our future.
Ready to improve your recycling efforts?
Whether at home or in your business, smart recycling makes a difference. Cawleys can help you design bespoke waste and recycling solutions that work — for your people and for the planet.
Let’s take action this Earth Day — and every day after.
Find out how Cawleys can help your business recycle smarter: www.cawleys.co.uk