Scottish Islands Data Overview (2025)
The Scottish Islands Data Dashboard has been updated following a review of available data. This report summarises the findings. It highlights changes between data available in 2025 and data first collated in 2023 and gives an overview of longer term trends in Scotland's Islands.
11 Environment and Biosecurity
Recycling rates are generally low across the Scottish islands local authorities.
11.1 Greenspace
In the Scottish Islands Survey (2023), 91% of residents across all Scottish Island Regions agreed that they had access to blue or green spaces within a 5-minute walk from their home, compared to only 68% of adults across Scotland[24]. Overall, there is no significant difference with 2020. Data from the Scottish Household Survey (date) also suggests that 83% of islanders can access green space within 10 minutes. Greenspaces are a vital part of the landscape. Having easy access to quality green space can improve people's quality of life by increasing neighbourhood satisfaction, promoting mental and physical health (including through its association with increased physical activity) and reducing health inequalities.
11.2 Recycling
Recycling rates are generally lower in each Scottish island local authority (apart from North Ayrshire) when compared to the rest of Scotland. Additionally, every island local authority (apart from North Ayrshire) has a higher carbon impact from waste than the Scottish average.
Source: Household Waste Data, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (2024)