Recycling rates in Wales have increased again.
Municipal data shows the rate has risen to 68.4 per cent for 2024/25, up from 66.6 per cent in 2023/24, continuing a remarkable transformation from around 5 per cent before devolution.
Wales is now second in the world for recycling, according to global rankings published in 2024 by Eunomia Research and Consulting and Reloop, leading the UK and just behind Austria.
Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for climate change, said: "We continue to build on Wales’ already world class recycling.
"This shows the huge shift in attitudes over the last few decades; recycling is now a part of who we are as a nation.
"We’ve backed our commitment with over £1bn of investment since devolution which has seen recycling rates increase exponentially ever since.
"I’m proud of every person in Wales who has played their part in getting us to where we are today – in our homes and now in our workplaces too.
"Thank you for joining this collective effort.
"Our recycling track record is something to be proud of as we continue taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency and grow the green economy.
"But let’s not be complacent.
"Being number one in the world for recycling is within our grasp if we keep up the momentum."
The latest statistics, published on Thursday, January 29, are the first annual figures released since new workplace recycling regulations came into effect in Wales.
The rules require all businesses, public sector organisations, and third sector workplaces to separate key recyclable materials.
Since their introduction, local authorities have collected an additional 8,187 tonnes of recyclable material from workplaces, a 42 per cent increase on the previous year.
Residual waste from workplaces has also fallen by 15.8 per cent.
Just 0.7 per cent of waste was sent to landfill in 2024/25, a dramatic reduction from the 95 per cent disposed of this way before devolution.
These improvements mean thousands of tonnes of valuable recyclable materials are being returned to the economy instead of being incinerated or landfilled.
More than half of Wales' local authorities reached the statutory target of recycling 70 per cent of waste in 2024/25, and more than 90 per cent reported improved recycling rates compared to the previous year.
Mr Irranca-Davies said: "Being number one in the world for recycling is within our grasp if we keep up the momentum."
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