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The construction, demolition, and excavation (CD&E) sector is the largest source of waste generation in the United Kingdom, accounting for 61 percent of the total in 2020. Commercial and industrial waste had the second- biggest contribution, but by a wide margin, with a share of 21 percent.

Trends in waste generation and treatment

In 2020, the UK generated 191.2 million metric tons of waste, a 14 percent decrease from 2018. Nevertheless, this decline was at least partially attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, waste generation in the UK grew continuously between 2012 and 2018, with an 11-percent increase recorded in the period. Despite the growth in waste generation, the share of waste managed by recovery operations, including energy recovery, and recycling and other recovery operations, grew from 48 percent in 2012 to nearly 58 percent in 2020.

Household waste

Although only contributing 14 percent to the UK's total waste generation in 2020, household waste is an important indicator of consumer behavior and waste management infrastructure. In 2022, the UK’s generation of waste from households totaled 25.7 million metric tons, the lowest figure recorded in at least seven years. England accounted for more than 80 percent of household waste generated in the UK, while Northern Ireland contributed with less than five percent.