UK production output index: waste collection and recovery
UK production output index: waste collection and recovery stood at 104.2 in Jul 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Monthly GDP and output table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1990 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Monthly GDP and output table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production output index by industry | |||||||||||
| 38 — Waste CollectionTreatment & disposal Activity;Materials recovery | 104.2 | 104.6 | 103.5 | 108.4 | 105.1 | 102.8 | 102.5 | 103.2 | 106.5 | 110.3 | |
| 39 — Remediation activities and other waste management services | 100.7 | 99.4 | 95.9 | 102.5 | 97.8 | 94.1 | 94.9 | 96.3 | 100.2 | 105.1 |
Understanding UK production output index: waste collection and recovery
Waste collection and recovery output measures the monthly volume of gross value added produced by enterprises engaged in gathering, sorting, treating, and recycling non-hazardous and hazardous waste streams across the United Kingdom. Unlike remediation or wastewater services, this series isolates the handling of discarded solid materials, scrap, and recyclables from domestic, commercial, and industrial origins. The underlying data combines physical tonnage indicators of processed materials with deflated turnover returns collected from refuse operators and recycling facilities.
Evaluating these figures demands careful handling of seasonality, particularly regarding commercial manufacturing shutdowns and holiday periods that alter the generation of industrial refuse. Early monthly estimates undergo regular revisions as late survey responses arrive from waste management operators and local authority contractors. Analysts generally prefer year-on-year comparisons over month-on-month changes to smooth out weather disruptions and shifting commodity demand for recycled inputs. Comparing this index with general production measures highlights how industrial activity directly drives the secondary materials recovery sector.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this index cover household refuse collection?
- Yes, it includes both municipal household waste collection and commercial or industrial waste management services.
- How are recycling activities measured within the series?
- Output is tracked through a combination of deflated financial turnover and physical volumes of processed secondary raw materials.
- Why is year-on-year comparison recommended for this series?
- Annual comparisons remove seasonal patterns caused by holiday closures, municipal collection schedules, and weather events.