Recycling rate of plastic packaging waste in the UK 2012-2023
Published by
The recycling and recovery rate of plastic packaging in the United Kingdom stood at 52.5 percent in 2023, the highest figure recorded in the displayed period. The amount of plastic packaging recycled in the UK has nearly doubled since 2012.
How is plastic recycled in the UK?
One of the most important steps in the recycling process of plastic waste is the collection of recyclables. In 2023, 100 percent of local authorities in the UK offered curbside collection of plastic bottles, while 89 percent also offered collection of plastic pots, tubs, and trays. After collection, plastic waste is transported to a recycling center where it can be sorted and cleaned. The plastic is then shredded, melted and pelletized so that it can be ultimately used as raw material for manufacturing new plastic products. Plastic waste that is not collected for recycling is either sent to landfill sites or incinerated for energy recovery.
Collected does not mean recycled
Many nations – including the United Kingdom – export part of their waste to other countries because they either lack the recycling infrastructure to manage the volume of waste generated or because it is cheaper to ship their waste to countries with lower labor and processing costs. Less than half of the plastic packaging waste collected in the UK is recycled domestically, with the highest share being exported. In 2024, Turkey was the leading destination of UK plastic waste exports.
