Scotland's household recycling rate falls to a five-year low

Summary

Sepa, Scotland's environmental regulator, says households recycled 42.8% of their waste in 2025, down from 44.3% the year before, the lowest rate in five years. The BBC also published a video looking at what happens to Scotland's rubbish as the rate falls.

Timeline

1. BBC

   27 Oct 2026, 12:22 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports that Sepa says Scottish households recycled 42.8% of their waste in 2025, down from 44.3% the previous year, a five-year low.

2. BBC

   27 Oct 2026, 15:30 UTCSource ↗

   The BBC reports, in a video, that as Scotland's recycling rate falls to its lowest level in five years, reporter Kevin Keane looks at what happens to the country's rubbish.