The amount of packaging  was in the UK estimated to be around 10.8 million tonnes in 2009, 62 per cent of this was recycled and 67 per cent was recovered.

Why is this important  – By recycling and recovering packaging material, it ensures that fewer raw materials are used, thus reducing waste sent to landfill and the impact of packaging upon the environment.

• Around half of the 10.8 million tonnes of packaging waste comes from the commercial and industrial waste stream and half from household waste.
• The recycling rate has increased from 34 per cent in 1999 to 62 per cent in 2009, and the total recovery rate (including recycling) has increased from 38 per cent in 1999 to 67 per cent in 2009.
• The 2009 estimates of the recycled packaging waste show materials include paper (47 per cent), glass (25 per cent), plastics (9 per cent), wood (12 per cent), steel (6 per cent) and aluminium (1 per cent).
• The UK continues to exceed the overall recovery and recycling targets, and has achieved all of the material specific targets set in the EU Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste.

Data download

The key facts publication contains a downloadable version of this page
Defra  – Packaging and waste page
Sustainable Development Indicators – Waste
Sustainable Development Indicators  – Household waste and recycling
Government policy on waste and recycling