DEFRA's data on recovery and recycling for the first quarter of 2005 show a steady improvement of 2004 figures. This is optimistic in the face of the failure of the UK to hit some of the national targets in 2004. Total recycling tonnage was 144,536 tonnes as opposed to 136,741 tonnes in the same period last year. Total recovery amounted to nearly 1,460,000 tonnes, increasing from 1, 383,868 tonnes. A DEFRA spokeswoman said that it was difficult to make predictions based on first quarter results, but that the figures represented "good progress". However, she added that "we ended to be ware that the material specific targets for aluminium, steel and plastic in particular, will be challenging." Glass recycling and recovery showed the biggest increase over the first quarter of 2004, although there is an increased amount of this material in the waste stream.
