We were ranked as the second highest local authority in Scotland in terms of household recycling rates for 2022 in the latest waste & recycling figures published by SEPA.
Increased performance
We achieved a household recycling rate of 57.3% in 2022, up from 55.2% in 2021, a figure that is well above the national average of 43.3%.
We also divert the highest amount of waste from landfill out of all Scottish council areas. Last year only 0.4% of waste from the Scottish Borders, equivalent to 227 tonnes, was sent to landfill.
Across 2022 a total of 29,012 tonnes of material was recycled by Scottish Borders households.
The full report from SEPA is available to view online.
Digitial waste & recycling tools to be launched before the end of the year
Later this year we will be launching a new suite of digital waste and recycling tools for residents to stay on top of recycling and their collections.
Including a new online platform and separate smartphone app, these will help residents stay informed about recycling information like never before by providing information specific to their address.
Councillor Jenny Linehan, Executive Member for Environment & Transport:
“Once again the Scottish Borders has been ranked as one of the best performing local authorities for recycling rates and has even set the standard in diverting waste from landfill.
“The figures clearly show how important an issue recycling is to our communities and how they are taking responsibility to reduce their impact on the environment.
“Whilst this result is extremely pleasing I would like encourage residents right across the Borders to not rest on their laurels. Statistics show that 76% of the average general waste bin in the Scottish Borders could still be recycled so there’s still a lot more work to do.
“As a Council we will always be committed to reducing our long-term impact on the environment and making it easier than ever for residents to play their part.”