Total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Total waste generation, by activity was 282.39 million tonnes in 2018. ▼ Falling

Latest (2018)
282.39 million tonnes
Change on year
up 3.8%
World rank
6th
of 78 countries
All-time high
298.80 million tonnes
in 2000
All-time low
241.51 million tonnes
in 2012
Years of data
9
2000–2018

Total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000–2018

0100.0M200.0M300.0M2000200920182000: 298.8M tonnes2004: 298.8M tonnes2006: 291.1M tonnes2008: 282.2M tonnes2010: 241.8M tonnes2012: 241.5M tonnes2014: 263.0M tonnes2016: 272.1M tonnes2018: 282.4M tonnes

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in tonnes.

Analysis

The most recent figure for total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 282.39 million tonnes, measured in 2018.

The figure is up 3.8% on the previous year and up 0.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland peaked at 298.80 million tonnes in 2000 and was at its lowest, 241.51 million tonnes, in 2012.

That places United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 6th out of 78 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top 10%.

Total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes) in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 2000 to 2018.
Year tonnes Change
2000 298.80 million tonnes
2004 298.80 million tonnes +0.0%
2006 291.15 million tonnes -2.6%
2008 282.22 million tonnes -3.1%
2010 241.81 million tonnes -14.3%
2012 241.51 million tonnes -0.1%
2014 262.99 million tonnes +8.9%
2016 272.06 million tonnes +3.4%
2018 282.39 million tonnes +3.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 292.74 million tonnes 282.22 million tonnes 298.80 million tonnes 4
2010s 260.15 million tonnes 241.51 million tonnes 282.39 million tonnes 5

Countries ranked near United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

  1. 3 Kazakhstan 1.03 billion tonnes compare
  2. 4 Germany 385.80 million tonnes compare
  3. 5 France 343.21 million tonnes compare
  4. 6 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 282.39 million tonnes compare
  5. 8 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 265.56 million tonnes
  6. 9 Curaçao 257.24 million tonnes compare
  7. 9 Curaçao 257.24 million tonnes compare

See the full ranking of 80 places →

More environment data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

All data for United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was 282.39 million tonnes in 2018, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
What is the highest total waste generation, by activity recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 298.80 million tonnes in 2000.
What is the lowest total waste generation, by activity recorded in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 241.51 million tonnes in 2012.
How does United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank for total waste generation, by activity?
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 6th out of 78 countries with data for 2018.
Is total waste generation, by activity rising or falling in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 0.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland data come from?
The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Total waste generation, by activity in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/stat/total-waste-generation-by-activity-tonnes/united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-ireland/

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About this data

Indicator
Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes)
Unit
tonnes
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
80 places, 1,076 data points, 2000–2023
Last refreshed