South-east dominates recycling league of shame

Analysis by solar lighting retailer The Solar Centre, has revealed how UK districts rank for household waste recycling, with nine out of the top 10 places taken by councils in the south-east.

Taking the top spot for recycling is East Riding in Yorkshire, whose citizens recycle 65% of their household waste. Coming a close joint second are Rochford and South Oxfordshire.

Newham is bottom of the table as just 14% of their residents recycle their waste. Joining Newham are fellow London boroughs Westminster and Lewisham, recycling just 17% and 18% of waste respectively.

Half of the top ten worst areas for recycling are in London, indicating a lot more needs to be done in the capital to improve recycling levels. However, London’s neighbours in the south-east are leading the way, taking four of the top ten places for best recycling rates.

Recent surveys have found millennials are ‘apathetic’ about recycling and those born during or after the 1980s are the least likely age group to recycle, and areas with a high proportion of millennials inhabitants, such as Tower Hamlets (27%), Islington (31%) and Southwark (34%), are in the lower groups for recycling rates.

David Eaton, sales director of The Solar Centre, said: ‘We can see from the statistics the percentage of household waste being recycled is improving, but further investment and education may be needed in areas, particularly around Greater London.

‘Improving recycling rates and wider environmental practices is imperative for the UK. Making these simple practices part of our day to day lives will help to protect the environment and benefit future generations.’