The Portuguese recycle a smaller percentage of their household refuse than any other country in the EU-15, according to a survey by the British Institute for Public Policy Research. The survey - which does not cover the EU’s 10 new member states - reveals that the Portuguese recycle just 3% of their refuse. Also towards the bottom of the league table are the Greeks on 8% and the UK on 18%.
At the other end of the scale, the Dutch recycle 65% of their refuse, followed by the Austrians on 59% and Germany on 58%. In countries like Germany where some local areas charge for each kilogramme of refuse that goes unrecycled, regional collection of recyclable materials goes up to more than 65%, according to the report’s authors.
Ireland produces more refuse per head - 869 kg per annum - than any of its EU-15 counterparts, some 31% of which is recycled. Next come the Danes on 696 kg per head while the Greeks produce only 433 kg per capita - less than half the Irish figure.
