Waste Targets

DEFRA Web Site:


Waste Implementation Programme
The Waste Implementation Programme (WIP) responds to the package of strategic measures recommended by the Strategy Unit (SU) report "Waste Not, Want Not" published in November 2002, and the Government's Official Response. The remit of the Strategy Unit was to consider action to be taken to help the UK to meet the legally binding targets under Article Five of the EU Landfill Directive.

Taking account of the derogations available to the UK, the targets are:

  • By 2010 to reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 75% of that produced in 1995.
  • By 2013 to reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 50% of that produced in 1995.
  • By 2020 to reduce biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 35% of that produced in 1995


The SU's report to the Government recommends a number of economic and regulatory changes, strategic investment measures, and funding and delivery structures to address these challenges.
Building on the Strategy Unit recommendations, WIP's programmes combine to drive waste management solutions up the waste hierarchy, improving the sustainability of waste management.

Household Waste:
Recycling increases to 26 per cent in 2005/06.

Waste/Recycling Graph

Household Waste And Recycling, UK

  • Between 1996/97 and 2005/06 household waste generated per person in the UK increased by 9 per cent. In 2005/06, this was equivalent to each person generating an average of 512 kilograms, or just over half a tonne, of waste.
  • The proportion of household waste per person collected for recycling or composting increased from 7 per cent in 1996/97 to 26 per cent in 2005/06. This represented 135 kilograms per person per year in 2005/06.
  • The amount of non-recycled waste per person rose steadily up to 2001/02. It then decreased by 18 per cent between 2001/02 and 2005/06, to 376 kilograms per person per year. Most of this waste goes to landfill, a method that makes little use of waste and produces greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide and methane.
  • In 2005/06, a total of 30.8 million tonnes of household waste was collected in the UK. In Scotland, 27.6 per cent of this waste was sent for recycling or composting. England, Northern Ireland and Wales had recycling rates of 26.7, 24.5 and 21.9 per cent respectively.
  • In 2005/06 compost was the largest component of recycled household waste in England (36 per cent of the total). The next largest component was paper (22 per cent). Co-mingled collections – which is collection of a number of recyclable materials in the same box or bin (for example paper, cans and plastics) – together with other materials (such as wood, furniture and oils) made up 23 per cent. Glass made up 11 per cent of the total recycled household waste in England.