Everyone generates nearly half a tonne of waste each

HOUSEHOLDERS in Dumfries and Galloway recycled 41.2 per cent of their waste in 2024. Of the waste remaining, 50.3 per cent was diverted from landfill, while 8.5 per cent went to landfill. Across the local authority area last year, 63,110 tonnes of waste was generated. Scotland’s latest household waste statistics, published this week by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), show a small rise in recycling rates. But with over half of the waste still going in general bins able to be recycled, that figure could be much higher. In 2024 each person in Scotland generated an average of 0.42 tonnes of household waste. Of that, 0.19 tonnes was recycled, 0.05 tonnes was sent to landfill and 0.19 tonnes was diverted away from landfill through other means, such as incineration. Ross Haggart, SEPA’s chief operating officer for regulation, business and environment, said: “Generating and reporting official waste statistics is a vital part of SEPA’s role, providing the evidence base that supports informed decision-making, and drives progress towards environmental outcomes. “Research from Zero Waste Scotland shows that around 52 per cent of what goes into general household bins could be recycled, including key materials like food waste, paper, cardboard, and plastic. “By making better use of existing recycling schemes and ensuring key recyclables don’t end up in general waste bins, we will see a real change in how much residual waste needs to be incinerated. “Every household can play a part in reducing emissions and supporting Scotland’s transition to a circular economy by recycling more and wasting less.”