Household recycling rates remain at 44% in the UK

27th September 2024

UK household recycling rates remained at 44% in 2022, the same rate as in 2021, according to new figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The recycling rate for waste from households increased in all UK countries in 2022 except England; England was 43.4%, 49.2% in Northern Ireland, 42.1% in Scotland, and 56.9% in Wales.

The UK generated 191.2 million tonnes of total waste in 2020, with England responsible for 85% (162.8 million tonnes) of the UK total.

In 2023, 64.8% of UK packaging waste was recycled, increasing from 62.4% in 2022.

Reacting to the figures, Julie Fourcade, Head of External Affairs at FCC Environment, said: “FCC Environment is deeply concerned by today’s announcement that the UK’s recycling rate has continued to flatline, with only 44% of household waste in England being recycled.

“This trend highlights that more needs to be done in terms of education, infrastructure, and regulation to ensure that we are diverting waste away from landfill and helping to foster a circular economy.”

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management reaction

CIWM’s Director of Innovation and Technical Services Lee Marshall said: “The recycling rate in England has stagnated recently, which is disappointing.

“This is largely due to delays in rolling out Consistent Collections and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Had these reforms been implemented, we would already see new services in place which would be driving up recycling rates.

“Local authorities are working hard to maintain current recycling levels, but they urgently need funding through EPR and clarity on the final details of food waste collections to plan and deliver the necessary service changes.

“One of CIWM’s key asks of the new government is to prioritise the delivery of Consistent Collections and EPR.

“These latest figures support this call and underline the importance of swift action to ensure these critical policies are progressed without further delay.”

Key figures

UK biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) sent to landfill decreased to 6.3 million tonnes in 2022 from 6.7 million tonnes in 2021.

It is estimated that the UK generated 40.4 million tonnes of commercial and industrial (C&I) waste in 2020, of which 33.7 million tonnes (83%) was generated in England.

Defra estimates that the UK generated 59.4 million tonnes of non-hazardous construction and demolition (C&D) waste, of which 55.0 million tonnes was recovered, in 2020.

England generated 53.9 million tonnes of this waste, of which 50.3 million tonnes was recovered.

In 2022, England generated 63.0 million tonnes of non-hazardous C&D waste, of which 59.4 million tonnes was recovered.