Although improper storage such as using plastic bags rather than paper or exposing the evidence to too much humidity or heat can degrade DNA, Hagan says that current technology can even recover complete profiles from poorly stored evidence, the kind usually available in very old cases.

CNN: Solving the cold case: Time, DNA and ingenuity can help

The only plastic objects that can not now be recycled are heavily contaminated items, such as paint pots and plastic products, such as carrier bags, coal sacks, and clear material used to seal food containers.

BBC: Guernsey States introduces more plastic recycling

Between 700, 000 and 1 million seabirds are killed each year by marine debris such as discarded fishing line and plastic bags.

CNN: The stark reality of a throw-away society

This LED initiative follows past IKEA US leadership actions such as the phase out of plastic bags in 2007 and incandescent bulbs in 2010.

ENGADGET: Ikea to sell only LED-based lighting by 2016, wants to be greener than your sofa bed

The plastic bag manufacturers point to several inaccuracies on the page, including stats such as a 1 percent recycling rate for plastic bags.

FORBES: Small Plastic Bag Lawsuit Could Have a Huge Impact on Green Business

It said the retail industry had already used a range of different techniques, such as introducing bags for life and other offers, to reduce the use of plastic bags which - led by the UK's leading supermarkets - it had done so by at least 25% since signing a voluntary up to a voluntary scheme to do so in 2007.

BBC: Shoppers may face 20p bag charge

The bags, which contained waste such as plastic, wood and metal, should have been sent to the Low Level Waste Repository, at Drigg.

BBC: Sellafield Nuclear Plant

Some of the most interesting parts of the book come towards the end, where he discusses some of the possible solutions such as Denmark's strategy of burning rubbish to produce electricity, or an Irish scheme to charge shoppers for plastic bags, which led to a 90% drop in their use.

ECONOMIST: A history of waste