Recycling rates in the UK rose faster in the first decade of the millennium than any other country in Europe, according to official statistics published this week.
Although it started from a low base in 2001 - recycling rates were just 12% for all municipal waste - it increased by the greatest amount by 2010, reaching 39%. This is on a par with the average for the EU. However, the European Environment Agency (EEA), which published the statistics, have warned that many countries will fail to meet the target of recycling 50% of waste by 2020 set by Directive 2008/98/EC, on waste.
Countries such as Germany, Austria and Belgium are already recycling more than half of their waste, but others are falling way behind. Greece for example only recycles 18%, while Romania recycles just 1%. There are also some cases of going backwards, with Norway's rates falling from 44% to 42% and Finland's dropping from 34% to 33%.
Despite the UK's impressive improvement, its recycling did slow down towards the end of the last decade. It is however expected to meet the 50% target by around 2017.
A Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson said, "Household recycling has risen from just 11% in 2001 to 43% this year, and over half of business waste is now recycled. Government, local authorities and businesses have all worked with the public to achieve this and will continue to do so to meet challenging new targets."
