Recycling facts

Uncover surprising recycling facts that reveal the impact of everyday waste

The facts behind what we throw away

Recycling is a vital part of reducing waste, yet it’s just one part of living sustainably. In the UK, we generate millions of tonnes of rubbish each year, much of which could have been recycled, reused, or avoided altogether. This page brings together key facts about recycling, reuse, and sustainable living to help you make smarter everyday choices. Whether you’re wondering what really happens to your plastic, how to give items a second life, or why reuse is even more powerful than recycling.

The real numbers of recycling

Recycling in the UK is improving all the time, but there's still a long way to go. These key stats reveal how we're doing and where we can all do better

44.1% recycled

Less than half of all household waste in the UK is currently recycled, highlighting the need for better habits and clearer guidance

86.4% paper

Clean paper and cardboard have the highest recycling rate and are widely accepted in kerbside bins

53.7% plastic

Only about half of plastic packaging gets recycled due to confusion and inconsistent collection

44.1% recycled

Less than half of all household waste in the UK is currently recycled, highlighting the need for better habits and clearer guidance

86.4% paper

Clean paper and cardboard have the highest recycling rate and are widely accepted in kerbside bins

53.7% plastic

Only about half of plastic packaging gets recycled due to confusion and inconsistent collection

80.4% metal/glass

These materials are recycled well, rinse them to avoid contamination and maximise recovery

59% to landfill

Over half of UK waste is still landfilled or incinerated. Reducing and reusing is key to change

79% miss-sorted

79% of households put the wrong items in recycling bins, leading to contamination and waste

80.4% metal/glass

These materials are recycled well, rinse them to avoid contamination and maximise recovery

59% to landfill

Over half of UK waste is still landfilled or incinerated. Reducing and reusing is key to change

79% miss-sorted

79% of households put the wrong items in recycling bins, leading to contamination and waste

Why is recycling and reuse so important?

Recycling helps prevent landfill overflow and conserves energy and raw materials. However, it still requires water, energy, and transportation to process materials, so it’s not without impact.

On the other hand, reuse avoids the production cycle entirely. It saves money, for example, using a reusable coffee cup can replace up to 150 disposable cups a year. Reusing also reduces emissions from manufacturing and transport by keeping items in use longer, maximizing their value and cutting down on demand for new products.

Facts about reuse and recycling

Clothing

The average UK household owns £4,000 worth of clothes, but 30% hasn’t been worn in over a year
Extending a garment’s life by 9 months can reduce its environmental impact by 20–30%
350,000 tonnes of wearable clothes go to landfill annually in the UK

Food and packaging

UK households waste 6.4 million tonnes of food annually, 60% is avoidable
Reusing containers for leftovers or shopping cuts single-use packaging
Reusable water bottles can save up to 150 plastic bottles per person each year

Furniture & household items

Nearly 30% of furniture disposed of in the UK could be reused
Many local reuse shops or charities accept and repair furniture & electronics

Did you know?

Recycling 1 aluminium can saves enough energy to power a TV for 3 hours
Every UK person throws away their own weight in rubbish every 7 weeks
Reusing a laptop reduces carbon emissions by 173 kg CO₂e compared to buying new
The UK generates over 1.6 million tonnes of electronic waste every year
Plastic bottles take 450+ years to decompose — reusing saves resources and time

Source: WRAP, Love Food Hate Waste, Textiles 2030