Scotland's Recycling Rate Dips to Five-Year Low

Scotland's recycling rate has fallen to its lowest point in five years, with households recycling only 42.8% of their waste in 2025, according to figures released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa).

This represents a decrease from the previous year's rate of 44.3%. The Scottish government had set a target of achieving a 70% recycling rate by 2025, a goal that is now significantly unmet. The total amount of household waste generated in 2025 was 2.31 million tonnes, a slight reduction of 1,500 tonnes from the previous year.

While the percentage of waste processed at incinerators remained relatively stable at 82%, the amount diverted to landfill decreased by 10%. However, this shift has not been swift enough to meet a planned landfill ban, which has now been postponed to 2028.

Recycling rates show considerable variation across local authorities. South Ayrshire reported the highest rate at 55%, while Glasgow recorded 26%. The Orkney islands had the lowest rate at 18.2%.

Shift in Waste Management

The most notable change in waste management has been the increased use of energy-from-waste plants. A rapid expansion in the construction of these facilities, which generate electricity by burning waste, has led to a decrease in landfill usage. These plants offer a more sustainable alternative to landfill, according to Karen MacCormick of Viridor, a company operating such facilities. "When it's in landfill you've got the landfill gasses, you've got methane, etc.," MacCormick stated. "This is a more sustainable way of dealing with the waste, coming through an energy recovery facility, and obviously we can create something at the end of it which is low carbon energy going straight to the grid."

Ongoing Challenges

Factors contributing to the stagnant recycling rates include the repeated delays to a deposit return scheme for bottles and cans, which has proven effective in increasing recycling in other countries. Additionally, inconsistencies in collection practices among local authorities can confuse households. For instance, some councils collect glass at the kerbside, while others require residents to use separate bottle banks.

Research from Zero Waste Scotland indicates that more than half of the waste sent to landfill in black bins could potentially be recycled.

Dr. Richard Allan, Sepa's chief scientific officer, described the figures as highlighting an "ongoing challenge" in waste management. "It's clear that where waste ends up is important, but we need to focus on preventing waste in the first place and recycling more of that material when it is produced," he said.

The reported figures do not account for the recent disruption caused by long-term repairs to the incinerator at Polmadie in Glasgow, which shut down in April. This closure has led to waste being diverted to other incinerators or landfills, potentially impacting future recycling rates.