The rate is up nearly 2% from 2024-25, showing continued progress towards the country’s statutory target of recycling 70% of municipal waste, although the target was narrowly missed at a national level.
Commenting on the figures, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change Huw Irranca-Davies said: “We continue to build on Wales’ already world class recycling.
“This shows the huge shift in attitudes over the last few decades; recycling is now a part of who we are as a nation.”
Workplace recycling regulations
The latest figures are the first annual statistics since the introduction of new workplace recycling separation regulations in Wales, which came into force in April 2024 and require businesses, public bodies and third-sector organisations to separate key recyclable materials.
Local authorities collected an additional 8,187 tonnes of recyclable material from workplaces, representing a 42% increase compared with 2023-24.
At the same time, residual waste collected from workplaces fell by 15.8%
Food waste showed the strongest growth, rising by 54.8%, while paper and card increased by 40.5%. Glass collections rose by 33.7%, with more modest increases for metal (19.2%) and plastic (14.0%).
The Welsh Government cautioned that local authorities collect less than a quarter of total workplace waste in Wales, meaning the figures are not fully representative of all business waste streams. However, officials say the data provides a strong early indication that the reforms are shifting behaviour.
Local authorities increase recycling rates
Performance across Wales remained strong, with 20 of the 22 local authorities reporting an increase in their recycling rate compared with 2023-24 and 12 authorities met or exceeded the 70% recycling target.
Recycling rates ranged from 61.6% at the lowest-performing authority, Caerphilly, to 73.5% at the highest in Pembrokeshire.
Caerphilly County Borough Council announced plans in 2025 for a new depot and processing facility in Dyffryn Business Park, Ystrad Mynach in order to increase recycling rates in the county.
The total amount of municipal waste generated in Wales rose slightly to 1.42 million tonnes, a continuing increase since 2022-23.
Incineration continues to take over landfill
Landfill use continued to decline in Wales, with just 0.7% of municipal waste disposed of via landfill in 2024-25.
By contrast, incineration with energy recovery accounted for 30% of waste sent for treatment, continuing a long-term upward trend as landfill has been phased out.
Irranca-Davies added: “Our recycling track record is something to be proud of as we continue taking action to tackle the climate and nature emergency and grow the green economy.
“But let’s not be complacent. Being number one in the world for recycling is within our grasp if we keep up the momentum.”
Subscribe for free