Recycling
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WQ.335/2025
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BY DEPUTY I. GARDINER OF ST. HELIER NORTH
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 15th SEPTEMBER 2025 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER 2025
Question
"Regarding the processing of general waste, will the Minister state –
- the total percentage Jersey is currently recycling;
- what barriers, if any, have been identified that prevent or slow an increase in recycling; and
- what plans, if any, does his department have to address any identified barriers?"
Answer
- Jersey's Municipal recycling rate (general waste) has remained stable at just over 30% in recent years. This covers all waste material separated at source and taken to the appropriate facilities on Island for onward recycling.
Municipal Recycling Rate | ||||
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (to end June) |
Jersey | 35% | 35% | 33% | 35% |
2024 recycling figures by waste type:
Waste Type Sent for Recycling | Weight in Metric Tonnes |
Paper | 1,274 |
Cardboard | 3,070 |
Plastic bottles | 144 |
Plastic (agricultural crop cover) | 235 |
Small mixed waste electricals (WEEE) | 401 |
Visual Display Equipment | 150 |
Cooling appliances | 275 |
Batteries | 149 |
Light bulbs | 9 |
Glass | 5,094 |
Green waste | 11,472 |
Plasterboard | 2,117 |
Gas cylinders | 24 |
Waste metal | 13,198 |
Total | 37,612 |
- Use of available services is dependent upon public willingness to use them, with no requirement on collection authorities to provide any specific level of service. The Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (2017) identified access to recycling services and space to separate and store materials at home as barriers. The department is aware that there is a lack of awareness amongst the public about what happens to recyclable materials once collected and a perception of complexity around the different Parish schemes, with 3 of the 12 Parishes still not having a kerbside recycling scheme in place for householders to access.
- The Department is working to improve public awareness of what happens to the items householders separate for recycling to dispel the myth that it is all incinerated. An annual budget allocation of £39,000 is used to promote individual schemes and new initiatives in respective Parish magazines and also provide support for signage to ensure consistent messaging. The Solid Waste Strategy is in the process of being updated and will highlight areas of work required to increase levels of participation by householders and engagement with collection authorities. There is a potential to increase the island's recycling rate to above 45% if all parish householders had access to kerbside recycling. The strategy will also identify frameworks and possible legislative requirements to increase the segregation of waste streams to increase recycling. A structure for engagement and information for the public and businesses will also be a key area to build on the work currently undertaken by the department and through the Eco Active scheme.
As I stated in response to WQ.20/2025, I visited Guernsey in January of this year to see the good
work that they have done in this area, and I am open to adopting some of the practices implemented in Guernsey which have significantly increased their recycling rate. Equally, we need to understand and retain the advantages of our current system, and accordingly any changes would only be undertaken and implemented in Jersey following extensive public engagement and consultation.