Recycling rates improving in Annandale and Eskdale

RECYCLING rates are improving and the amount of general waste being thrown away is falling across Annandale and Eskdale.

New figures reveal a positive environmental trend in the area, with residual waste — the general rubbish that cannot be recycled — declining steadily over the past three years, writes Marc Mclean.

A Dumfries and Galloway Council report, which provides a waste and recycling update, will be tabled at next Wednesday’s meeting of Annandale and Eskdale area committee.

The report states: “Residual waste has declined year on year over the past three years and recycling is slowly increasing, which is a positive trend.

“Residual waste has reduced by 4.32 percent from 2023/2024 to 2025/2026 or 335.52 less tonnes of waste collected for Annandale and Eskdale.”

At the same time, recyclable waste has increased significantly. The biggest driver of that improvement has been the introduction of a garden waste collection service, which contributed 374 tonnes of recyclable material in 2025/26 after being introduced the previous year.

Overall, recyclable waste increased by 386 tonnes — a rise of 19.65 percent — between 2023/24 and 2025/26.

Mixed plastic and tin cans collected from the kerbside have also crept up year on year, rising from 771 tonnes in 2023/24 to 779 tonnes in 2025/26, while mixed paper and cardboard collection has remained broadly stable at around 1200 tonnes annually.

Overall kerbside waste collection tonnages have remained broadly stable across the period.