'Much-needed systemic change': Study reveals almost 90 per cent of waste is never recycled

clock • 3 min read
Credit: iStock
Image:

Credit: iStock

Report calls for stronger regional and international collaboration to tackle global waste mountain

Global material consumption is growing on a per capita basis and far exceeding the capacity of recycling systems, with almost 90 per cent of materials used by the global economy either ending up as waste...

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

Welsh government appoints Exchange for Change to deliver Deposit Return Scheme

Welsh government appoints Exchange for Change to deliver Deposit Return Scheme

Exchange for Change now confirmed as operator of new recycling scheme across the whole of the UK

James Murray
clock 21 August 2026 • 3 min read
IKEA unveils plans for new second-hand marketplace

IKEA unveils plans for new second-hand marketplace

Retail giant seeks to tap into growing demand for circular economy platforms with new marketplace for pre-owned IKEA items

James Murray
clock 21 August 2026 • 2 min read
GSMA launches phone and e-waste recycling drive for global mobile networks sector

GSMA launches phone and e-waste recycling drive for global mobile networks sector

Global telecoms trade association unveils new Circularity Services offering, teaming up with Closing the Loop and RGX to help mobile operators reduce e-waste and refurbish old equipment

clock 14 August 2026 • 3 min read