Every Can Counts reveals the list of UK’s best and worst cities for recycling; Newport tops the list as the best city for recycling

The not-for-profit communications programme working to inspire, encourage and empower people to recycle their empty drink cans, Every Can Counts, announced the best and the worst cities for recycling in the UK. As per the research, Newport has been rated the top city for recycling in the UK, while Birmingham has been identified as the region most in need of reform.

When recycling rates and consumer attitudes were considered, Newport in Wales ranked the best UK city for recycling. Compared to the national average of just 41 per cent, it sends nearly two-thirds (67 per cent) of its household garbage for reuse, recycling, or composting.

"The need for recycling is now fairly well cemented into the minds of the general public and it's great to reveal and celebrate the efforts of the UK's top-performing cities. However, as we can see from the data, there is still more to be done to inspire change throughout the country, especially when it comes to recycling on-the-go and in public places," said Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager for Every Can Counts.

The drink can recycling programme will run from October 17th to October 23rd in honour of Recycle Week. By examining local authority recycling rates and self-reported attitudes and behaviours toward recycling, including the importance residents place on recycling and their efforts to recycle at home and in public places, a not-for-profit has created a ranking of the nation's top and bottom cities for recycling.

In Chester, recycling is practised consistently by more than nine out of ten (96 per cent) residents, compared to seven out of ten (70 per cent) nationwide. Bangor and Cardiff, two different Welsh cities, came in third and sixth, respectively. Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, and Wolverhampton are the places that score lowest when it comes to recycling behaviours and citizen attitudes when looking at the cities at the bottom of the list.

"As an organisation, our aim is to achieve a 100% recycling rate for aluminium drink cans in the UK, Europe and beyond. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, so there's no reason why this valuable material can't stay in endless circulation when it's recycled, and Recycle Week is the perfect time to encourage more people to make that happen," added Chris Latham-Warde.

Approximately 23 per cent of garbage in Birmingham, 29 per cent in Brighton and Hove, and 35 per cent in Wolverhampton, according to Defra statistics, is finally recycled.

When asked about obstacles to recycling, Brits name the absence of recycling bins in public spaces as the main deterrent, accounting for over a third (31 per cent) of the respondents. More than six in ten respondents (62 per cent) felt that their local government should do more to promote recycling locally.

People who are unsure of whether the packaging is recyclable and what isn't follow closely behind (26 per cent). Clearer symbols or recycling instructions on product packaging, according to more than a third (35 per cent) of Brits, would encourage consumers to recycle more. The typical person in the UK consumes four cans of beverage each week, and aluminium beverage cans are one of the most recycled packaging materials in the country.