The household waste recycling rate in Dumfries and Galloway has seen a decline, with 26,000 tonnes of rubbish recycled in 2023 compared to 29,747 in the previous year. Data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency revealed that out of 63,110 tonnes of waste generated by homes, the recycling rate stood at 41.2%, a drop from 45.1% in 2022.
The figures also show that 31,724 tonnes of waste were diverted from landfill, with only 8.5% (5,385 tonnes) being landfilled, which is an improvement from 9.1% in the previous year. On an individual basis, each person generated 0.43 tonnes of waste, slightly lower than the previous year’s 0.45 tonnes, but the amount recycled per person decreased from 0.2 tonnes to 0.17 tonnes.
Across Scotland, a total of 2.3 million tonnes of household waste was generated in 2023, a slight decrease from 2022. The recycling rate was 43.5%, with 409,000 tonnes being landfilled, a reduction of 177,000 tonnes from the previous year.
Jo Zwitserlood, Head of energy, industry, and materials at SEPA, emphasized the importance of transitioning to a circular economy in Scotland, where materials are reused, recycled, and remanufactured to create environmental and economic benefits. Collaboration between SEPA, the Scottish Government, Zero Waste Scotland, Scottish Councils, and the waste management sector is crucial in achieving these goals.
In conclusion, the decrease in household waste recycling in Dumfries and Galloway highlights the need for continued efforts towards sustainable waste management practices to reduce landfill waste and promote recycling initiatives in the region.