By 2023, the employment in the UK's non-hazardous waste collection sector stood at 76.13 thousand employees. The forecast for 2024 anticipates a 2.13% increase to 77.75 thousand. Similarly, expected growth continues with a 2.24% rise in 2025 and 2026, with values reaching 79.49 and 81.2 thousand, respectively. Subsequent years show consistent growth: 2.06% in 2027 and 1.98% in 2028, resulting in an estimated 84.51 thousand employees. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over these five years is projected at approximately 2.11% annually.
Future trends to monitor include automation's impact on employment, increased urbanization driving waste volumes, and policy changes such as recycling mandates influencing sector employment dynamics. Advancements in recycling technologies might alter workforce requirements and job types within this industry.
