Countries that recycle the most and what we can learn from them

Waste generated: 457.2 kg per capita

Waste recycled: 202.1 kg per capita

Recycling rate: 44.2 percent

Scotland’s government came up with a Zero Waste Plan in 2010. The program included pre-sorted waste collection and local authorities providing households with recycling, collection and waste treatment services. The country also banned the incineration of dense plastics and metals and also introduced a separate set of rules for food waste recycling.

Ranking of countries, waste figures (household waste + municipal solid waste) and recycling rates mentioned are sourced from the 2018 report by Eunomia.