SEPA releases statistics on Scottish household waste

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has published statistics providing detail of household waste collected across all Scottish local authorities during 2018. The statistics indicate some positive findings including: 

• A 15% decrease in the carbon impact of Scottish waste from 2011 to 2018. 
• A 2% decrease in the total household waste generated in Scotland. 
• A 7% decrease in household waste sent to landfill, increasing the rate of recycled household waste for the second year running. 
• An increase in plastic and glass recycling. Plastic recycling rose by 5% in 2018, continuing the trend of increasing each year for the last seven years. Glass remains the second most recycled material, with a 0.8% increase recorded.

Despite this, paper and cardboard recycling has continued on its downward trend since 2011, with a 7% reduction being recorded from 2017, which makes a total reduction of 13% from 2011 figures.

The total household recycling rate was 44.7% which was a slight decrease from the 45.5% achieved in 2016. 

Source: SEPA, 17 September 2019