Although this is a 4.1 percentage point increase on 27.1% in 2006, SEPA warned Scotland may not meet its target to recycle and compost 40% of waste by 2010 without improvement.
To reach the target, Scotland will have to increase its rate by 4.4 percentage points a year, which will be challenging.
Scotland will also have difficulty meeting long-term recycling targets proposed by the Scottish Government in January, SEPA said.
Under the proposals, recycling and composting targets will be set at 50% for 2013 and 60% for 2020 (ENDS Report 397, p 44 
). An "aspirational" 70% target will be set for 2025.