Residual Waste: 287kg Per Capita by 2042
Commitment: By 31 December 2042, residual waste (excluding major mineral wastes) must not exceed 287kg per capita annually in England — roughly a 50% reduction from 2019 levels. Environment Act 2021 statutory target.
Owner: Defra
Target date: 31 December 2042 (final); December 2030 (interim: 437kg per capita / 25.5m tonnes)
Metric: Annual “Estimates of Residual Waste and Municipal Residual Waste in England” (~15-month reporting lag).
Status: active
Key delivery measures
| Measure | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Simpler Recycling (businesses) | March 2025 | Launched |
| Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) | April 2025 | Phased implementation |
| Simpler Recycling (households) | March 2026 | Upcoming |
| Micro-businesses + plastic film | March 2027 | Upcoming |
| Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) | October 2027 | Not yet launched |
| Circular Economy Growth Plan | Early 2026 | Expected |
Delivery history
- [March 2025] Simpler Recycling launched for businesses (excl. micro)
- [April 2025] pEPR phased implementation begins
- [December 2025] Residual Waste Target Delivery Plan published
- [Early 2026] Circular Economy Growth Plan expected
Note on monitoring
The ~15-month reporting lag on residual waste statistics means the 2030 interim target will have very limited early warning. First data point reflecting 2030 performance may not be available until 2031-32.