Austria, highest recycling rates

Considered a model country for recycling, Austria has one of the highest recycling rates of any country in the world at 56% as of 2020, with 96% of the population participating in waste separation. Through rigorous public awareness campaigns and robust infrastructure, Austria has effectively instilled a culture of waste consciousness and responsible consumption among its citizens. "The country has a blanket ban on certain waste types going to landfill. Any product that has a total organic carbon emission rate of more than 5% is banned, which in effect prevents any packaging from ending up in the ground . . . As of March 2020, manufacturers in Austria were banned from importing and selling certain types of plastic bags – with retailers unable to issue these types of plastic bags in the country from June 2020."