What happens to your waste and recycling

The waste and recycling we collect from households is sent to a range of destinations to be processed.

All general waste is disposed of in the UK. Most of it goes to local energy-from-waste facilities where it is burnt to generate electricity.

A very small amount, usually hazardous waste which cannot be burnt, is sent to landfill.

Most recyclable items are processed in the UK to make new packaging and products, including all of the plastic we collect. A small amount of paper and cardboard sometimes goes overseas.

Any recycling that is sent abroad is carefully monitored by the Environment Agency.

You can find more information on how different items are recycled to make new products on the Recycle Now website.

Waste and recycling destinations

The map below shows where waste and recycling from South Gloucestershire was processed between April 2022 and March 2023. This information is updated every year.

Note: locations are approximate.

Annual waste analysis

Every year we carry out a study of waste in black bins from across our area to find out what is being thrown away. The results of the last audit can be found below.

The average black bin in South Gloucestershire in 2022 contained:

• 12.5% food waste
• 23% recyclable items
• 27.7% flexible plastic
• 36% non-recyclable waste

West of England Waste Partnership

We have a joint contract with Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, and North Somerset councils for disposing of non-recyclable waste.

This helps us to find the most sustainable and cost-effective ways of dealing with waste that cannot be recycled or composted.