Recycling in the UK

Statistics report on recycling in the United Kingdom

Recycling in the UK

The United Kingdom is one of the world's largest waste producers. Nevertheless, despite some progress since the turn of the century, recycling efforts have stalled in recent years, further aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic. Now, with a series of new policies in place, the government aims once again to ramp up recycling rates across its territory.

This report presents figures about the recycling industry in the United Kingdom. It provides information about waste trade, recycling volumes and rates of selected materials, as well as some of the UK's recycling targets.

Table of contents

Overview

6
  • Premium Statistic Global municipal waste recovery rates 2010-2021, by select country
  • Premium Statistic Global municipal waste recycling rate 2021, by select country
  • Premium Statistic Global plastic waste export volume 2022, by country
  • Premium Statistic Household waste generation in the United Kingdom 2015-2021, by country
  • Premium Statistic Number of waste treatment facilities in the UK 2016-2020, by type
  • Premium Statistic Employment in waste management in the UK 2017-2022, by segment

Trade

5
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste exports from the UK 2000-2023
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste exported from the UK 2023, by main country
  • Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste recycling and exports in the UK 2010-2022
  • Premium Statistic Exports of scrap paper from the UK 2010-2023
  • Premium Statistic Electronic waste exports from the UK 2023, by leading country

Recycling volumes

6
  • Premium Statistic Household waste recycled in the United Kingdom 2010-2021, by country
  • Basic Statistic Packaging waste generated and recycled in the UK 2021, by material
  • Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste recycled in the UK 2012-2021
  • Premium Statistic Annual household e-waste collected in the UK 2008-2023
  • Basic Statistic Quarterly household e-waste collected in the United Kingdom 2015-2023
  • Premium Statistic Construction and demolition waste recovered in the UK 2010-2020

Recycling rates

6
  • Premium Statistic Household waste recycling rates in the United Kingdom 2015-2021, by country
  • Basic Statistic Recycling rates of household waste in England 2023, by local authority
  • Premium Statistic Recycling rate of packaging waste in the UK 2012-2021, by material
  • Premium Statistic Recycling rate of plastic packaging waste in the UK 2012-2021
  • Premium Statistic Recovery share of paper and board in the United Kingdom (UK) by type 2022
  • Premium Statistic Construction and demolition waste recovery rate in the UK 2010-2020

Outlook

3
  • Basic Statistic Packaging recycling targets for businesses in the UK 2023-2024, by material
  • Basic Statistic Packaging recycling rate targets in the UK 2030, by type
  • Basic Statistic Recycling rate targets in England 2025-2035

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