Slovenia and Germany had the highest municipal solid waste (MSW) recycling rates among OECD countries in 2022, at 55.3 and 47 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, South Korea boasted a recycling rate of some 54 percent in 2021. Of the 10 highest ranked recycling rates within OECD, nine were European countries. In contrast, the recycling rate in Costa Rica was below five percent. Who generates the most MSW? With a recycling rate of less than 25 percent, the United States is the biggest producer of municipal solid waste across the globe, followed closely by China. With landfilling ranking as the most common method of MSW disposal in these two countries, they are home to some of the largest MSW landfills in the world, with over 5,000 tons being dumped daily at each one. In terms of municipal waste generation per capita, the United States ranks second in the world, behind Denmark. How is MSW recycled? Municipal solid waste recycling involves a series of processes aimed at recovering valuable materials from the waste stream and diverting them from landfill or incineration. After the waste is collected and sorted at recycling facilities, recyclables undergo processing such as shredding, crushing, or melting to convert the materials into a usable form. The processed recyclables are then sent to manufacturers who use them as raw materials for producing new goods. Recycling practices can vary across regions, and not all materials are easily recyclable.

The recycling rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States stood at 32.1 percent in 2018. Although recycling rates in the North American country have increased considerably since the 1990s, it has slowed down in recent years, experiencing little change since 2010.

For each Community District, its Recycling Diversion rate (percentage of total municipal solid waste collected by the Department of Sanitation that is disposed of by recycling) and Capture Rate (percentage of total Paper or Metal/Glass/Plastic in the waste stream that is disposed of by recycling). For more information about DSNY's recycling programs, see: https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/services/recycling. Capture rate is the amount of materials set out for residential recycling collection as a percentage of designated recyclable materials in both recycling and refuse streams. This ratio measures how much of the targeted materials are actually being recycled, which is a measure of how successfully such materials are recycled. Please note that since 2013, DSNY no longer uses capture rate information. For information on what is in NYC's waste, see: http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/dsny/site/resources/reports/waste-characterization.

This statistic displays the recycling rates of select countries in 2015. During this time, Austria's recycling rate reached some 63 percent. The share of waste diverted from the landfill remains high in many countries in Europe, as these countries have developed successful recycling programs.

Recycling rates worldwide – additional information Many countries have developed successful recycling programs, with Austria and Germany boasting the highest recycling rates in 2015 worldwide at 63 and 62 percent, respectively. Taiwan recycled the third largest proportion of municipal waste, putting the country on par with international leaders, with Singapore and Belgium coming in fourth and fifth. While some places offer elaborate setups for recycling and their residents take pains to sort their waste, some people fail to approach waste management the same concern. Two of the more developed countries, Canada and Japan, for example, fell to the bottom of the table, reaching only 27 and 21 percent of recycling rates.
Despite rapidly increased recycling rates in some countries, many countries are still lagging behind and wasting volumes of recyclable resources by sending them to landfills. By 2025, worldwide waste generation per capita is projected to amount to 1.42 kilograms per day, with the OECD area topping the list, generating more than 2 kilograms of waste per day. That same year, it is estimated that the higher one’s income is, the more municipal solid waste he or she is going to produce in urban areas. Albeit the lack of formal recycling systems in developing countries, people make a living from salvaging recyclable materials has helped reduce waste generation. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, for instance, are forecast to generate a below-average amount of waste per day in 2025. The worldwide recycling market is expected to be on the rise over the next decade, from 21 billion euros in market value in 2015 to 35 billion euros in 2020. Major waste management companies continue to benefit from the growing market. Veolia Environnement ranked first in terms of revenue in 2015, generating almost 30 billion U.S. dollar revenue, with Suez Environnement and Waste Management from the United States ranked second and third. These companies often operate waste-to-energy facilities, provide single-stream recycling and produce landfill-gas-to-energy in order to increase recycling rates.

This dataset consists of 34 transcripts of semi-structured qualitative in-depth interviews with households in areas of 4 countries with high/low consumer recycling rates (England, Scotland, Spain, Germany). The aim was to explore how they engaged with the use and disposal of plastic packaging. We looked specifically at social practices within different households as this is a neglected but important site for managing waste. We explored social practices, perceptions, emotions, knowledge, and understandings of plastics packaging (recycling, repurposing, retaining, reusing, refusing). The interviews shed light on the value of plastics recycling which is understood widely but in practice the lived experience of plastics recycling is complex and frequently requires negotiating relationships. Ideas about classification systems and sorting differ considerably for cultural reasons; inter- generational perspectives on the value of plastics are also apparent and better understanding of these issues will help us shed light on the complex social context of circular economies.

This publication covers annual estimates for waste collected by local authorities in England and the regions. These statistics are based on data submitted by all local authorities in England to WasteDataFlow on the waste they collect and manage.

The methodology and recycling explainer documents give background and context to this statistical notice, accompanying datasets and the waste and recycling measures they present.

There is also a further historical note on the definition of local authority collected waste relating to earlier releases.

The entire raw dataset is available in CSV format and can be found here: https://www.data.gov.uk/dataset/0e0c12d8-24f6-461f-b4bc-f6d6a5bf2de5/wastedataflow-local-authority-waste-management" class="govuk-link">WasteDataFlow - Local Authority waste management - data.gov.uk

Historic releases

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20250102235615/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2022-2023

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20230802024231/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results-202122" class="govuk-link">2021- 2022

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20220503105415/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2020 - 2021

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20210728220801/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2019-2020

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20200604042448/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2018 - 2019

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20190903035029/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2017 - 2018

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20181207030346/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2016 - 2017

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20170418015547/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2015 - 2016 This includes the ad hoc release entitled “Provisional 2016/17 local authority data on waste collection and treatment for England (April to June and July to September 2016)”.

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20160512131028/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2014 - 2015

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20150401112814/https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2013 - 2014

https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20140321171631/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-collected-waste-management-annual-results" class="govuk-link">2012 - 2013

Historic datasets

Historic datasets

Dataset from Singapore Department of Statistics. For more information, visit https://data.gov.sg/datasets/d_daf568968ab40dc81e7b08887a83c8fa/view

The recycling rate of lead-acid batteries in the U.S. municipal waste stream stood at about 99 percent in 2018. By contrast, only some 27 percent of the PET bottles and jars generated in the North American country were recycled that year.

A dataset highlighting recycling and demolition waste statistics across different regions.

This is the percentage of household waste arisings which have been sent by the authority for reuse, recycling, composting or anaerobic digestion.This was previously collected as BVPI 82a and 82b in 2007/08. The numerator is the total tonnage of household waste collected which is sent for reuse, recycling, composting or anaerobic digestion. The denominator is the total tonnage of household waste collected. 'Household waste' means those types of waste which are to be treated as household waste for the purposes of Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 by reason of the provisions of the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992. This was previously reported as NI 192.Data is Powered by LG Inform Plus and automatically checked for new data on the 3rd of each month.

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Plastic Recycling Solutions Market Size 2024-2028

The plastic recycling solutions market size is forecast to increase by USD 25.8 billion, at a CAGR of 8.87% between 2023 and 2028.

The market is driven by growing environmental concerns, with the increasing awareness of plastic pollution and the need to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact. This trend is further fueled by the rising demand for recycled plastics, as companies and consumers seek sustainable alternatives to virgin materials. However, the market faces several challenges. First, the complexity and cost of plastic recycling processes can hinder widespread adoption. Second, the quality and consistency of recycled plastics can vary, limiting their use in certain applications. Lastly, the lack of standardization and regulation in the plastic recycling industry can create uncertainty and hinder market growth.
Companies seeking to capitalize on market opportunities must navigate these challenges by investing in research and development to improve recycling technologies, ensuring consistent quality, and advocating for standardization and regulation. By doing so, they can position themselves as leaders in the sustainable plastic solutions space and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives.

What will be the Size of the Plastic Recycling Solutions Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2018-2022 and forecasts 2024-2028 - in the full report.
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The market continues to evolve, driven by various factors including environmental impact assessments, technological advancements, and stakeholder collaboration. Recycled plastics find applications in numerous sectors, such as electronic devices, sustainable packaging, and automotive components. Economic incentives and technology adoption are key catalysts for the market's growth. Recycling infrastructure and waste management systems undergo constant optimization to increase recycling rates and reduce plastic waste. Polystyrene (PS) and other plastic types, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are subjected to mechanical and advanced recycling processes. Government regulations and plastic recycling policies play a significant role in shaping market dynamics.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are increasingly adopted to enhance quality control and improve recycling process efficiency. Carbon footprint reduction is a major focus, with chemical recycling and renewable plastics gaining traction. Industry partnerships and consumer goods companies collaborate to develop innovative recycling solutions, creating opportunities for investment. Innovation in recycling technologies continues to unfold, with thermal recycling and plastic pyrolysis emerging as potential game-changers. The circular economy principle is embraced, with a shift towards pre-consumer and post-consumer recycling. Consumer behavior and public awareness are crucial elements in the market's growth trajectory. Sustainable packaging solutions and resource conservation are becoming increasingly important, driving demand for recycled plastic products.

The digital transformation is also impacting the market, with the integration of AI and data analytics in waste management systems. In summary, the market is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape, shaped by various factors and applications across various sectors. The ongoing unfolding of market activities and evolving patterns underscore the importance of continuous innovation, collaboration, and adaptation to meet the evolving needs of a sustainable future.

How is this Plastic Recycling Solutions Industry segmented?

The plastic recycling solutions industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Type

  Post-consumer recyclate
  Industrial recyclate


End-user

  Packaging
  Construction
  Automotive
  Electrical and electronic components
  Others


Geography

  North America

    US


  Europe

    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    China
    Japan


  Rest of World (ROW). 

By Type Insights

The post-consumer recyclate segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

Post-consumer recyclate, derived from plastic materials that have completed their life cycle as consumer products, is collected from various sources, including households, commercial entities, and municipal recycling programs. This recyclate undergoes a meticulous process involving sorting and separation to ensure high-quality standards. The resulting recycled plastic materials are utilized in diverse industries and applications,

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The principal aim of the project was to investigate the socio-economic factors that determine recycling rates across local authorities in the UK and why recycling rates vary. To achieve this, the project objectives were to:

• (i) provide a theoretical framework for economic determinants of the proportion of waste recycled as an aggregate quantity and differentiated by material type;
• (ii) construct a panel dataset covering all local authorities;
• (iii) establish the statistical significance of all the variables expected to have explanatory power through panel data econometric analysis;
• (iv) carry out sensitivity tests to validate the model;
• (v) draw implications for recycling policy both at local and national level.

The data deposited at the UK Data Archive comprise the panel dataset described above. Source data used to construct the dataset were taken from the WasteDataFlow website, a web-based system for municipal waste data reporting by UK local authorities to government, where they are used by the Department for Environmental and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and other departments to produce statistics. Office for National Statistics data on regional socio-economic characteristics were also used.

Further information about the project may be found on the ESRC's Examining the variation in household recycling rates across the UK award webpage.


Main Topics:

The data cover waste collection, waste disposal and recycling rates across local authorities.

Indicadores Medioambientales: Waste recycling rate, excluding major mineral wastes. Annual. National.

Table shows the proportion of collected household waste which is recycled or composted.

Figures for 2004/5 were taken from the London Councils organisation as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) do not list complete LA level statistics for this year.

From 1998/99 to 2003/04 estimates for household waste recycling (including composting) rates are based on data supplied to the annual DEFRA Municipal Waste Management Survey.

From 1998/99 to 2001/02 figures revised since previous publication. Recycling/composting rates for 1998-99 were first published in Annex A of "Guidance in Municipal Waste Management Strategies" published by DEFRA in March 2001 and 1999/00 rates in Annex B of the consultation paper on "Distribution of the £140 Million Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund", available from https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/waste-and-recycling-statistics

The recycling rate is calculated as set out below.

For Waste Collection Authorities (WCA) and Unitary Authorities (UA):
X/Y x 100, where:
X = Tonnage of household waste collected by the WCA or UA which is sent for recycling/composting (including private/voluntary collections of household waste for recycling)
Y = Total tonnage of household waste collected by the WCA or UA (including private/voluntary collections of household waste for recycling)

For Waste Disposal Authorities (WDA):
X/Y x 100, where:
X = Tonnage of household waste collected by the WDA which is sent for recycling plus tonnage of household waste which is sent for recycling by the constituent WCAs (including private/voluntary collections of household waste for recycling)
Y = Total tonnage of household waste collected at Civic Amenity sites by the WDA plus total tonnage of household waste collected by constituent WCAs (including private/voluntary collections of household waste for recycling)

Annual Results for Local authority collected waste management published by are available here.

For more Local Authority Waste and Recycling Information visit the WRAP Portal. The site is accessible to the public but does require registration on the first visit.

The public can understand the recycling results of recyclable items in this document. Unit: kg

(i) Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), also known as e-waste, such as computers, televisions, fridges and mobile phones, is one the fastest growing waste streams in the EU. WEEE include precious materials the recycling of which should be enhanced. (ii) The indicator is calculated by multiplying the 'collection rate' as set out in the WEEE Directive with the 'reuse and recycling rate' set out in the WEEE Directive; where: o The 'collection rate' equals the volumes collected of WEEE in the reference year divided by the average quantity of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) put on the market in the previous three years (both expressed in mass unit). o The 'reuse and recycling rate' is calculated by dividing the weight of WEEE that enters the recycling/preparing for re-use facility by the weight of all separately collected WEEE (both in mass unit) in accordance with Article 11(2) of the WEEE Directive 2012/19/EU, considering that the total amount of collected WEEE is sent to treatment/recycling facilities. The indicator is expressed in percent (%) as both terms are measured in the same unit. (iii) EU Member States plus the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (iv)

This table displays the disposal of waste by source (residential and non-residential) for Canada, provinces and territories every two years. The unit of measure is tonnes.

Forecast: Municipal Waste Recycling Rate in Germany 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

The indicator is calculated as recycled waste (RCV_R) divided by total waste treated excluding major mineral wastes (TRT), multiplied by 100. It is expressed in percent (%) as both terms are measured in the same unit, namely tonnes. Recycled waste is waste treated, which was sent to recovery operation other than energy recovery and backfilling (for simplification referred to as recycling). Waste data are adjusted for waste collected in one country and recycled in another country. The amount of recycled waste is adjusted as following: waste treated in domestic plants plus waste sent out of the country for recycling minus waste imported and treated in domestic recycling plants. Waste treated is based in Waste Statistics Regulation and the imports and exports of wastes are based on Foreign Trade Statistics and reported according to the Combined Nomenclature (CN-codes). The indicator covers both hazardous (hz) and non-hazardous (nh) waste from all economic sectors and from households, including waste from waste treatment (secondary waste) but excluding most mineral waste. Major mineral waste is excluded in order to avoid situations where trends in ordinary waste generation can be drowned out by massive fluctuations in the generation of wastes in the mineral extraction and transformation sector. This also permits more meaningful comparison across countries, as mineral waste accounts for very substantial quantities in countries characterized by major mining and construction sectors.