# European regional recycling rate gains

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-regional-recycling-rate-gains
> Updated: 2026-07-28T14:46:13.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

In mid‑July 2026 Wales reported that its overall recycling rate had risen to 65.4%, surpassing its governmental target and ranking the nation among the world’s leaders. The improvement was tied to a new “Be Mighty. Recycle.” campaign and the rollout of a five‑bag source‑separation system in Carmarthenshire, which will expand county‑wide later in the year.

A week later, Galicia announced that its municipal recycling rate had climbed from 20 % to 30 % in 2024, lifting the region in national rankings. The jump reflected a 50 % increase in source‑separation efficiency and a reduction in landfill reliance, aligning the region with European Union waste‑management objectives.

Both snapshots illustrate a broader trend of sub‑national authorities across Europe intensifying recycling programmes and adopting new collection methods to meet increasingly ambitious environmental targets.

## Timeline

### 2026-07-28: Galicia boosts recycling rate to 30% as EU targets approach

Galicia's recycling rate rose to 30% in 2024, raising its national ranking, cutting landfill use to 33%, and meeting EU waste‑management goals, said Councillor Ángeles Vázquez.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/galicia-boosts-recycling-rate-to-30-as-eu-targets-approach

### 2026-07-17: Wales recycling rate climbs to 65% as new five‑bag system launches

Wales' recycling rate hit 65.4%, prompting a national campaign to become world‑lead and a new five‑bag recycling system in Carmarthenshire.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wales-recycling-rate-climbs-to-65-as-new-fivebag-system-launches

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Cite as: European regional recycling rate gains. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-regional-recycling-rate-gains