Recycling rates in East Lothian are the third highest in Scotland among its local authorities, a new report released by SEPA has shown.
East Lothian recycled 55.3% of its waste between January and December 2024, a rise on the figure of 53.1% recorded during the previous year.
Among the country’s 32 council areas, only Moray at 56.7% and Clackmannanshire with 57.2% had better recycling rates.
The performance saw East Lothian move up from sixth place last year to third, according to the study produced by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency.
The improvement came as the county moved to a three weekly general waste collection introduced on 1 April last year.
Across the whole of Scotland, the average household waste recycling rate was 44.3%.
As well as the 2.2% increase in recycling rates, SEPA found East Lothian generated less waste overall and sent a lower amount of waste to landfill.
Protecting our environment
Councillor John McMillan, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment, Economic Development and Tourism, said: “It’s extremely gratifying to see East Lothian move up to third place among the nation’s local authorities for recycling rates.
“The council’s service provision of delivering weekly recycling collections and three weekly general waste pick-ups is having a significant impact on raising our recycling levels and lowering the amount of waste going to landfill.
“I would like to thank residents for their continued use and support of our recycling services and playing their part in helping to tackle the climate emergency and protecting our environment.”
For the full report, visit the SEPA website.
For more information on waste and recycling in East Lothian, visit the council website.