About 5.4 million metric tons of paper and cardboard packaging were generated in the United Kingdom in 2023. Of this total, 3.9 million metric tons were recovered for recycling, resulting in a rate of roughly 73.4 percent. In comparison, some 2.2 million metric tons of plastic packaging were generated that year, with just 52.5 percent recycled. Steel was the packaging material with the highest recycling rate in 2023.
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Defra, & GOV.UK. (September 26, 2024). Packaging waste generated and recycled or recovered in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by material (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 19, 2026, from /statistics/476098/packaging-waste-and-reclycing-uk/
Defra, und GOV.UK. "Packaging waste generated and recycled or recovered in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by material (in 1,000 metric tons)." Chart. September 26, 2024. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 19, 2026. /statistics/476098/packaging-waste-and-reclycing-uk/
Defra, GOV.UK. (2024). Packaging waste generated and recycled or recovered in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by material (in 1,000 metric tons). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 19, 2026. /statistics/476098/packaging-waste-and-reclycing-uk/
Defra, and GOV.UK. "Packaging Waste Generated and Recycled or Recovered in The United Kingdom (Uk) in 2023, by Material (in 1,000 Metric Tons)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 26 Sep 2024, /statistics/476098/packaging-waste-and-reclycing-uk/
Defra & GOV.UK, Packaging waste generated and recycled or recovered in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by material (in 1,000 metric tons) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/476098/packaging-waste-and-reclycing-uk/ (last visited July 19, 2026)
Packaging waste generated and recycled or recovered in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2023, by material (in 1,000 metric tons) [Graph], Defra, & GOV.UK, September 26, 2024. [Online]. Available: /statistics/476098/packaging-waste-and-reclycing-uk/
