The State of UK Recycling: Are We Really Making Progress?

Recycling plays a crucial role in the UK’s sustainability efforts, reducing landfill waste, conserving resources and cutting carbon emissions. However, with each nation setting its own recycling targets, it can be difficult to gauge whether we’re truly making progress. Are we on track to meet our goals, or are businesses and consumers falling short? In this article, we’ll explore the UK’s current recycling performance and examine what businesses can do to improve their waste management to boost recycling efforts.

What are the UK's recycling targets?

The UK government has set ambitious recycling targets to move towards a more circular economy. However, as waste management is a devolved issue, each nation has its own specific goals:

• England : Aiming for a 65% municipal waste recycling rate by 2035, with no more than 10% of waste going to landfill.
• Scotland : Set a 70% recycling target by 2025, with a focus on reducing reliance on landfill and incineration.
• Wales : The most ambitious of the UK nations, targeting 70% recycling by 2025 and aiming for a zero-waste economy by 2050.
• Northern Ireland : Committed to a 65% recycling rate by 2035, aligning closely with England’s targets.

While each nation has its own targets, it’s safe to say that all are ambitious, ensuring that the UK becomes one of the world leaders for improving recycling for a more sustainable future.

Is the UK making progress?

While progress is being made, it varies significantly across the UK:

• Wales continues to lead the way, achieving a 65.2% recycling rate in 2022/23, making it one of the top-performing countries in Europe.
• Scotland recorded a 60.6% recycling rate for household waste in 2022, showing steady improvement but still short of its 70% goal.
• Northern Ireland reached a 50.9% recycling rate in 2022/23, meaning more work is needed to meet its 2035 target.
• England lags behind at 44.6% in 2022, with stagnation in recent years due to inconsistent local authority services and contamination issues.

The numbers show that while Wales is excelling, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have more work to do to meet their targets. Businesses play a critical role in improving recycling rates and setting internal waste management goals can help drive the UK’s overall progress, as well as satisfy your own internal targets.

Setting your own recycling targets as a business or organisation

Businesses generate a significant portion of the UK’s waste, making it essential for organisations to establish their own recycling and waste reduction targets. Aligning with national goals and adopting best practices can not only help meet sustainability commitments, but also reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.

Some of the steps you can take include:

1. Conducting a waste audit to understand current recycling performance.
2. Setting clear, measurable recycling targets.
3. Investing in waste management equipment such as waste balers and compactors.
4. Educating employees on proper recycling practices.
5. Working with waste management providers to ensure materials are processed correctly.

Taking these steps means businesses can improve their sustainability efforts while contributing to the UK’s overall recycling progress.

How you can improve recycling within your workplace

Having a waste reduction strategy can boost your business in many ways. From saving money to making a good impression with your customers and clients, focusing on sustainability is an important topic for all businesses and organisations. Want to improve recycling rates in your workplace? Here are some of the steps you can take:

Conduct a waste audit
A waste audit is the first step towards improving recycling. By analysing the types and volumes of waste produced, businesses can identify opportunities to recycle more effectively and reduce overall waste. This can also highlight areas where contamination is occurring, ensuring recyclables aren’t being sent to landfill unnecessarily.

phs Wastekit can help you with your audit. Contact us for a free waste-saving audit today.

Invest in balers and compactors
Balers and compactors help businesses manage waste more efficiently by reducing the volume of recyclable materials such as cardboard, plastic, and metal. This not only makes recycling easier but can also lower waste disposal costs and improve workplace cleanliness. Investing in the right waste equipment can significantly enhance a company’s recycling efforts.

Learn more about the benefits of using waste balers and compactors in your workplace.

Provide clear and accessible recycling bins
One of the biggest barriers to effective workplace recycling is confusion over what can and can’t be recycled. Clearly labelled, strategically placed recycling bins ensure employees dispose of materials correctly. Colour-coded bins following WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) guidelines can also reduce contamination.

Train employees on waste management practices
Education is key to improving workplace recycling. Regular training sessions and awareness campaigns can help employees understand what materials can be recycled and why proper waste disposal matters. Creating a culture of sustainability within the workplace will encourage long-term behavioural changes.

Partner with a reliable waste management provider
Choosing a waste management partner that offers recycling services tailored to your business needs ensures waste is handled correctly. Working with the right provider can ensure you have the right equipment in place, helping you stay on track with your sustainability goals.

Work towards a more sustainable UK with phs Wastekit

While the UK has made progress in recycling, there is still a long way to go. Businesses have a unique opportunity to drive change by improving waste management practices, setting their own sustainability targets, and investing in recycling solutions such as balers and compactors.

At phs Wastekit, we’re committed to helping businesses and organisations meet their recycling and waste management objectives. We’ll not only provide you with recommendations for reducing waste targets, but we can also supply the machinery you need to help you meet them. Talk to us about your waste-saving goals and let us work towards better sustainability together. Contact phs Wastekit today.