UK Residual Waste: 2019–2023 Overview
Fresh data from Defra, published on 8 May 2025, paints a clear picture of how the UK is handling its residual waste. Between 2019 and 2023, the amount of residual waste being sent to landfill dropped by 15.3%, showing a noticeable shift in waste treatment priorities.
More Waste Heading to Incineration
While less waste is ending up in landfill, more is being sent to incineration facilities – including Energy from Waste (EfW) plants. Over the same period, incineration saw a 15.2% increase, indicating a growing reliance on burning waste for energy recovery.
The Bigger Picture: Less Waste Being Produced
The report also highlights a modest drop of 1.9% in the overall amount of residual waste generated between 2022 and 2023. That’s a fall from 1,145.3 kg to 1,017.0 kg per person, a small but positive step in the right direction.
Looking back to 2019, residual waste generation has declined by 8.9%, dropping from 64.4 million tonnes to 58.7 million tonnes in 2023.
Where the Waste Ends Up
- Landfill: Residual waste dumped in landfill sites dropped from 45.5 million tonnes in 2019 to 38.5 million tonnes in 2023, hitting that 15.3% decrease.
- Incineration: Over the same time, waste incinerated grew from 16.1 million tonnes to 18.6 million tonnes, making up the 15.2% rise.
- Exported Waste: Interestingly, the amount of residual waste shipped abroad for incineration has been cut nearly in half – with a 44% decrease, pointing to a shift towards managing waste domestically.
Targets on the Horizon
The government has set clear goals: by 2042, residual waste should be capped at 287 kg per person, with an interim milestone of 437 kg per person by 2028. These recent figures suggest we’re on the right track – but there’s still work to do.
Need Help Meeting Waste Targets?
At Affordable Waste Management, we support businesses across the UK with:
Whether you’re a small enterprise or a large organisation, we make managing your waste easy, legal, and sustainable.