| Scrap metal | |
| Change since | |
 |
1970 |
 |
1990 |
|
1998 |
Coverage: United Kingdom
Source: British Steel, World Bureau of Metal Statistics, Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau, Aluminium Federation
| Paper and board | |
| Change since | |
|
1970 |
 |
1990 |
|
1998 |
| Glass | |
| Change since | |
|
1970 |
|
1990 |
|
1998 |
Coverage: United Kingdom
Source: Defra, Paper Federation of Great Britain Ltd, British Glass Manufacturers Confederation & British Glass, Aluminium Can Recycling Association; British Plastics Federation
- Trends in recycling rates vary with scrap metal type. The recycling rate for copper increased by about a fifth between 1998 and 2001, but recycling rates for both zinc and lead fell (1998 to 2002: by nearly a quarter and 7 per cent respectively).
- Between 1990 and 2001, aluminium can recycling increased from 5 per cent to over 40 per cent of cans consumed. The rate of paper recycling increased from 32 per cent to 37 per cent of consumed material.