'We're getting a lot wrong on waste': New data confirms UK recycling rate fell during pandemic-hit 2020

Michael Holder
clock • 3 min read
UK recycling rate have stood at around 45 per cent for over a decade | Credit: iStock
Image:

UK recycling rate have stood at around 45 per cent for over a decade | Credit: iStock

Environmental groups demand more action and support from government to drive up household recycling rates in wake of latest figures

UK household recycling rates appear to be heading in the wrong direction once again, with the latest official figures showing the recycling rate fell 1.6 per cent in 2020. The latest annual statistics...

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 Recycling

Refill Locator: Recycle Now maps 'refill' outlets across the UK

Refill Locator: Recycle Now maps 'refill' outlets across the UK

London has the most shops offering refillable products that can replace single-use plastic, followed by Bristol, Oxford, and Brighton and Hove

clock 25 March 2026 • 3 min read
Study: UK food sector could provide one billion meals a year by cutting waste

Study: UK food sector could provide one billion meals a year by cutting waste

New report shows how a cross-industry effort to reduce food waste and recover surpluses could help combat food insecurity

clock 24 March 2026 • 3 min read
UK Packaging PRO appointed to deliver national packaging scheme

UK Packaging PRO appointed to deliver national packaging scheme

Government confirms industry-backed group is to manage Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, as part of efforts to better incentivise firms to switch to sustainable materials

James Murray
clock 23 March 2026 • 3 min read