Cornwall’s recycling rate has increased by more than 20% - according to Cornwall Council

Weekly food waste and fortnightly recycling and rubbish collections were rolled out across Cornwall in 2024 and 2025.

The county's household recycling rate has now increased from 31% to 52%. 

While 20,000 tonnes of leftovers, teabags and other food caddy items have been recycled, a council spokesperson said: "A recent analysis of Cornwall’s household waste found that many items that can be recycled, were still ending up in people’s rubbish bins. Food waste accounted for 22% of black bag rubbish - and 43% of that food was still in the packaging. 

"Other items that could have been recycled using the household collection service, such as aluminium tins, plastic bottles and glass jars, accounted for 16%. And recyclables that could have been taken to a Household Waste and Recycling Centre made up 7%."