As Dorset Council has key statutory functions for household waste, we recognise that we have an important role to play in helping drive the development of a circular economy here in Dorset. In this role, we aim to encourage and support the reduction, reuse and recycling of waste across the county. 

We have made good progress over the last decade by harmonising collection services, increasing the recycling rate year on year and curbing waste growth through waste-reduction initiatives. 

Through our kerbside collection scheme, household recycling centres and the use of waste treatment technologies, waste sent to landfill has decreased from 71% to 2%. Recycling rates have risen from 29% back in 2004 to 59.8 % last year. And the food waste we collect is now being processed within Dorset to produce biogas and electricity within the county. 

Most recently, we topped Eunomia’s Local Authority Low Carbon Index, which gives an alternative and arguably better measure of the environmental performance of our waste and recycling services. 

Find out more about what happens to Dorset’s waste.