The data on residual waste (excluding major mineral wastes) and municipal residual waste, provides insights into waste management practices and their impact on the environment.
Residual waste, defined as waste that is not recycled or reused, encompasses materials that are either too degraded or contaminated for recycling purposes. Often referred to as ‘black bag’ waste when collected from households or commercial businesses.
The latest statistics released by Defra reveal a decrease in residual waste generation in England. In 2022, the estimated amount of residual waste excluding major mineral wastes per person stood at 558.8kg, representing a decrease of 3.1% from the previous year. Similarly, municipal residual waste decreased by 0.6% per person compared to 2021 figures.
A deeper analysis of the data shows a significant shift in waste management practices. Between 2019 and 2022, there was a decrease in the amount of residual waste sent to landfill, coupled with an increase in waste treated through incineration, including Energy from Waste. This indicates a positive transition towards more sustainable waste treatment methods, aligning with long-term environmental targets set forth in the Environment Act 2021 and the 2023 Environmental Improvement Plan.
Specifically, the amount of residual waste sent to landfill decreased by 6.1% per person (176.3kg pp to 165.5kg pp) between 2019 and 2022, while incineration witnessed a 13.1% increase per person during the same period (242.3kg pp to 274.1kg pp). These changes demonstrate a concerted effort to reduce reliance on landfills and explore alternative waste-to-energy solutions.
The level of residual waste sent outside the United Kingdom for energy recovery decreased by 49.9% (50.2kg pp to 25.2kg pp), demonstrating a clear shift in waste management priorities and strategies.
It’s important to note that these figures are published as official statistics in development, formerly known as experimental statistics.
In conclusion, the latest release of waste generation statistics in England indicates positive steps towards reducing residual waste and advancing more sustainable waste management practices.
