This section contains the latest municipal waste recycling and composting rates achieved by English local authorities.

The results are from the period 2002-03, using data released by the Audit Commission in December 2003. The figures are subject to a review once detailed tonnage data is available through the Municipal Waste Management Survey 2002-03, to be published in the summer 2004.

UK recycling rates:

England: England 2007/08 England 2006/07 England 2005/06 England 2004/05 England 2003/04 England 2002/03

The average figure for English local authorities in 2002-03 was just under 15%, up from just under 13% in the previous year. The next national target is to reach 17% household waste recycling by 2003-04.

For the full 2002-03 recycling results click on the links below:

• English local authorities ranked by recycling & composting performance
• English local authorities listed in alphabetical order

The year's results reveal strong performances from councils in the South East of England, with notable examples like Lancashire bucking that trend.

The letsrecycle.com top 15 (below) shows the best combined recycling and composting performances for each type of local authority in 2002-03:

Data taken from official Audit Commission statistics