Local authority waste stats revealed

The local landfill league table has been published by Defra, naming and shaming the poor recyclers whilst showing an overall improvement in waste management in the UK.


The figures, for 2006/07, show that 94% of authorities recycled more of their household waste than in the previous year while 83% collected less residual waste.

While the average recycling rate was 31%, there was a huge discrepancy between the rates of different authorities, with the percentage of municipal waste being landfilled ranging from 7% to 93%.

Climate Change and Waste Minister, Joan Ruddock, said: “These statistics show that many householders and local authorities have got the reduce, reuse and recycle message and are doing a great job.

“They are helping in our battle against dangerous climate change. The best local authorities have achieved close to double the average.

“But some authorities are not doing anywhere near enough. Under-performing councils must do more to help their residents reduce their rubbish and recycle more from their homes.”

While there are problem areas and the UK’s rates still lag behind those of many of their European neighbours, the statistics show steady improvements in most areas.

Among the findings statistics showing there was:

  • Less rubbish – the lowest amount of residual household waste collected in 2006/07 was 180 kilograms per person. The highest was 449kg per person;

  • More recycling – the highest percentage household recycling and composting in 2006/07 was 55.5%. The lowest rate was 11.8%;

  • Less landfill – the lowest percentage of municipal waste landfilled in 2006/07 was 7%. The highest was 93%.

    Sam Bond

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