The graph illustrates the amount of four varieties of materials that were recycled in a country between 1982 and 2010.

Overall, it is clear that paper and cardboard were the materials that were recycled the most, although their levels are reducing. The rate of glass containers and aluminium cans being recycled is steadily increasing, while the rates of plastic remain relatively stable.

In 1982, 65% of paper and cardboard were recycled, while, only 50% of glass containers were taken for recycling. The rate of recycling paper and glass dipped in the 1990s, after which the rate of recycling paper surged to 80% in 1994, although the levels started dipping steadily till 2010 when only 70% of paper was recycled. On the contrary, the levels of glass recycling saw a rise from 1990 to 2010 where almost 60% of glass was recycled.

The process of recycling aluminium and plastic did not begin until 1986 and 1990 respectively. The levels of aluminium recycling started off around 2% in 1986, which then saw a steep increase till 2002, after which it steadily raised to 45% in 2010, making it the 3rd most recycled material. Plastic remains the least recycled material as it stayed relatively flat just below 10%.