'Still in the doldrums': UK recycling rate creeps above 45 per cent

Michael Holder
clock • 6 min read

Slight year-on-year uptick in household recycling welcomed by industry, but green groups highlight 'packaging waste mountain' revealed by latest Defra figures

The amount of household waste sent for recycling across the whole of the UK crept up above 45 per cent for the first time in 2016, setting a new record. But meeting binding EU targets for 2020 remains...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Waste

'Turn a double loss into a double win': Report calls on businesses to tackle $540bn global food waste bill

'Turn a double loss into a double win': Report calls on businesses to tackle $540bn global food waste bill

Retailers, food companies, and farmers urged to recognise food waste is a business critical issue

clock 06 January 2026 • 4 min read
Study: UK families expected to throw away 50 million sprouts this Christmas

Study: UK families expected to throw away 50 million sprouts this Christmas

Brussels sprouts appear to be most unpopular veg as Brits overbuy for festive period, according to fresh polling

Jane Thynne, Farmers Guardian
clock 24 December 2025 • 2 min read
Daily Dose and Waitrose debut juice made from surplus fruit

Daily Dose and Waitrose debut juice made from surplus fruit

Companies launch limited-edition apple juice designed to tackle food waste caused by record hot and dry summer

James Murray
clock 18 December 2025 • 1 min read