Overview

The verified Q4 recycling and export figures released by the Environment Agency on 27 March 2026, and subsequently revised on 30 March 2026, reveal a strong final quarter for 2025. Overall, Q4 was the strongest quarter of 2025. Performance was particularly strong in paper, glass remelt and plastic. Indeed, plastic had the highest-performing Q4 this decade. The table below summarises compliance year 2025, comparing the carry-in and all four quarters of recycling data with the final obligation.