• Last Update: October 4, 2024

Key Takeaways

• Chile is considered the worst country for recycling.
• Mexico has one of the lowest recycling rates in the world at 5%.
• Mexico has one of the lowest recycling rates in the world at 5%.

The 5 Worst Countries For Recycling In 2024

Plastic waste pollution is a global problem, and the cold hard fact of the matter is that all countries need to adopt better long-term strategies in the war against plastic waste. As of 2024, Germany still holds the top spot as the top country for recycling across the world. Nevertheless, some countries are a long way behind others:

#1. Chile

Chile is the number one worst country for recycling, withless than 1% of their total usage being recycled in 2015. Between 2013 and 2017, less than 0.8% of total household waste was separately collected for recycling.

Under Chile’s circular economy strategy, the country hopes to achieve a circular economy through recycling, reduction, and reutilisation of solid waste by 2040. 

#2. Mexico

Although Mexico has a high waste collection rate of 91%, most of this waste is improperly disposed. Mexico also has one of the lowest recycling rates in the world at 5%.

In terms of plastic, a huge 123 tonnes of plastic waste is also produced every day in Mexico City, and only6% of it is recycled.

#3. Turkey

According to OECD (2019), Turkeyrecycled just 1% of its domestic waste. In 2021 however, Turkey’s recycling rate was 12%.

In recent years, the government has been under growing pressure to “prevent the import of high amounts of waste,” whilst they have been labelled asEuropes Dumping Ground.

#4. Greece

Given the economic problems that Greece has faced over the last decade or two, it’s understandable that their recycling habits haven’t reached the desired level.

#5. Israel

Israel sends81% of its plastic waste to landfill and just 19% to recycling centres. And like Greece, Israel has had other political priorities to focus on in recent times. 

The Environmental Protection Ministry hopes to commit almost $1.1 billion over the next decade to improve the country’s recycling rate from21% to 50% by 2030.

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