Public performance reports

Waste Service is responsible for the collection and management of household waste and recycling, including bulky waste. The Service is also responsible for the council’s six Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) and the management of a variety of contracts for treating, recycling and disposing of household waste.  For more information on our performance in relation to recycling, also see the Sustainable development public performance report.

Number of missed refuse collections per 100,000 collections - Target – 75.7 missed refuse collections

What this means
This indicator measures the number of missed refuse collections per 100,000 household collections within the year.

Why this matters
Waste collection is one of the main environmental services provided by councils. Assessing the number of bins successfully collected over the year is a simple way of assessing the effectiveness of the service.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
The year-to-date figure is 87.93 missed collections per 100,000 collections. The slight dip in performance can be attributed to resourcing issues in the Clydesdale area, which affected both vehicles and staff. Rural routes were impacted most severely due to a lack of contingency for small RCVs (two were off the road long term) that are necessary to access properties located on rural routes, including single-track roads. The service is in the process of purchasing contingency vehicles, and so it is expected that performance will improve.

Percentage of special uplifts completed on the day allocated - Target - 95%

What this means
This measures the percentage of special uplifts completed on the day allocated. The council uplifts bulky items that will not go in household bins.

Why this matters
The level of service provided through the council’s special uplift service compares favourably with other councils. It is a service valued by the community and delivering it as quickly as possible reduces fly-tipping and ensures a clean, attractive environment.

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
Although the percentage of special uplifts completed on the day allocated was above the annual target 95%, at 96.83%, it was lower than in 2023-24.

How much household waste is recycled by my council? - Target >50%

What this means
The council is working towards meeting the national household recycling target of 60%, with a local target currently set at 50%. 

Why this matters
We are working towards meeting the national household recycling target of 60%, with a local target currently set at 50%. 

Our performance and how we compare

How we have performed in improving this public service
The percentage of total household waste that was recycled decreased slightly in 2024/25 when compared with 2023/24 and remains below (worse than) the Scottish average.

Multi-occupancy properties (flatted developments) make up over 30% of housing stock in South Lanarkshire. The lack of space at these properties means opportunities to provide recycling services are limited. Moreover, when recycling bins are provided, often the only option is to provide large communal bins, where contamination rates are significantly higher.

South Lanarkshire is one of the few councils to still provide a fortnightly residual waste collection, meaning residents have a minimum of 120L of residual waste capacity each week. It is understood that recycling rates are lower when households receive more residual waste capacity.

Waste Services is working closely with colleagues in Housing Services with regard to improving our recycling figures. Through additional funding, we procured an additional communal recycling bin with Perspex sides, which allows residents to see the waste streams and hopefully encourages greater participation. We have secured additional funding through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) monies, and an extra 182 Perspex-sided bins will be procured, which will then be rolled out to more flatted properties. Where we have contamination issues, communications are being carried out in partnership with Housing colleagues to discourage and advise on the correct means of waste disposal.

The service engages with customers using a wide range of methods, including ‘in-person’ visits and social media releases. Our Waste Education Team visit schools to raise awareness of the importance of recycling at home and in schools. The team also give presentations to community groups and forums.

We will take forward the following key areas for improvement:

• we will continue to work to improve the quality and quantity of the recyclable waste we collect from homes and flatted properties

• Bins and domestic waste

Resource Plans are prepared each year by all council Resources to outline the key developments they intend to take forward in the year. Performance and actions relating to the waste management service can be found in the Community and Enterprise Resource Plan.

Twice a year, performance reports are presented to Resource committees on progress against the Resource Plans. In addition, reports detailing progress against the Council Plan Connect Outcomes are prepared - see Quarter 2 and Quarter 4 performance reports for further information.

More information on our outcomes can be found in the Council Plan Connect and the Annual Performance Spotlights.

Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF) allows councils to work together, to use performance information in a way that will help understand variations, share knowledge, expertise and good practice, with a view to making improvements. For more information and links relating to this framework, go to the 'Benchmarking' paragraph on the Improvement and how we compare page on our website.

The information contained within this report reflects the position based on the data available at the time of publication (March 2026).