With reference to Figure 1, identify the recycling rate in England in 2018.

Outline one reason for the shape of the recycling rate curve from 2013 to 2018.

Estimate the reduction in solid domestic waste (in million tonnes) going to landfill from 2001 to 2018.

Describe three reasons why the proportion of solid domestic waste being recycled/ composted and incinerated has changed.

Outline one reason why there has been an overall change in recorded total solid domestic waste between 2001 and 2018.

44 %;

Note: Accept 43 %–45 %

Curve has flattened between 2013–18 due to:
only certain types of waste are recyclable;
limited market for recyclable materials/goods (OWTTE);
difficult to change human behaviour completely;
recycling facilities/ability may have reached full capacity (OWTTE);

Note: Accept other valid reasons for the plateau — do not credit responses that explain why it has increased.

(22 − 4 =)
~18 (million tonnes);

Note: Accept 16–19 (million tonnes); do not accept percentage (e.g. 18 %)

public awareness campaigns/government legislation/education promoting recycling/incineration;
meeting international agreements/quotas/obligations;
lack of space / suitable sites for landfill;
to reduce environmental impacts of landfill (e.g. leachates/landfill gas/habitat destruction/ pests/vermin);
developing technology/facilities for recycling/for energy production;
increasing need for renewable/cleaner energy sources;
financial reward/incentive for energy production;

Note: Avoid double marking (sim) where responses give similar reasons for both recycling/composting and incineration (e.g. more efficient than landfill)

There has been an overall decrease in total solid waste due to:
government promotion/incentives for reuse/upcycling;
economic changes leading to reduced consumption;
greater awareness of environmental issues leading to less wasteful consumerism;
changes/errors in methods of data collection;
reduction in amount of packaging;
reduction in production/use of single-use items;

Note: Credit any valid reason for a decrease in total waste. (Do not credit ‘increase in recycling’ as recycling is included in SDW in the graphic ...but reuse or upcycling is OK)

Most were able to read the recycling rate from the graph but a significant number used the wrong axis.

Most were able to recognise the curve was reaching a plateau and explained how the rate was being limited although some simply explained why recycling had increased which was not required.

Most were able to calculate the reduction in landfill waste although, again, there was some confusion over which axis to use, and how to interpret the stacked histograms.

This was well-answered with many candidates coming up with three different influences causing the increase in recycling and incineration.

A good number of candidates were able to see that re-use and reduced consumption were most likely to have caused the decline in overall SDW.