The East Riding has the best recycling rates in the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber

Hull is placed fourth in the region

Author: Joseph Gerrard Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 21st Feb 2022
Last updated 21st Feb 2022

The East Riding has the best recycling rates in Yorkshire and the Humber while Hull places fourth in the region, according to data.

Data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) shows the East Riding ranked sixth overall nationally, with a recycling rate of 60.8 per cent.

Hull’s recycling rate stood at 49.2 per cent, placing it 83rd out of the 338 local authority areas nationally according to the data analysed by Priority Direct packaging company.

Lauren Churcher, of Priority Direct, said the figures showed a concerted effort was needed to improve recycling rates.

The figures come ahead of the introduction of a national Plastic Packaging Tax which comes into force in April.

The levy applies to companies which make or import plastic, taxing material which contains less than 30 per cent recycled plastic at £200 a tonne.

Data analysed by Priority Direct from 2021 shows the East Riding came ahead of Calderdale in Yorkshire and the Humber, second with a recycling rate of 53.5 per cent.

Calderdale came 51st nationally and was followed in Yorkshire and the Humber by Hambleton, with a rate of 49.9 per cent, the 74th best rate in the country.

Wakefield tied with Hull regionally with 49.2 per cent, 84th nationally, followed by Ryedale with 48.3 per cent, 94th nationally, Selby, 44.7 per cent and 132nd and York, 44.1, 142nd.

Doncaster came ninth in Yorkshire and the Humber with a rate of 43.4 per cent, 151st nationally, followed by Rotherham with 43.3 per cent, 154th.

Nationally overall, the East Riding came ahead of North Somerset which placed seventh with a rate of 60.8 per cent.

Hull came behind Uttlesford in the east of England which had a rate of 49.4 per cent, coming 82nd.

St Albans had the highest recycling rate in England overall with a rate of 64.2 per cent.

South Oxfordshire followed with 63.6 per cent, Three Rivers with 63.1 per cent, Vale of White Horse with 62.6 per cent and Surrey Heath with 61.3 per cent.

After the East Riding, North Somerset came seventh with a rate of 60.4 per cent, Dorset had 60.1 per cent, East Decon 60 per cent and Tandridge 59.9.

The North West’s Barrow-in-Furness had the lowest recycling rate in the country with 17.9 per cent.

It was followed by Tower Hamlets with 19.3 per cent, Newham with 20.9 per cent, Birmingham with 22.5 per cent, Liverpool, 23.5 per cent and Bassetlaw, 23.6 per cent.

Westminster and Nottingham had the joint seventh worst rate in England, both with 23.9 per cent, followed by Wandsworth, 24.2 per cent and Kensington and Chelsea 24.2 per cent.

Ms Churcher said the vast gulf between the best and worst authorities showed more needed to be done to improve recycling, including the Government stepping in.

She said: “The vast difference in the recycling rates between St Albans and Barrow-in-Furness is surely reason enough for the government to take control instead of leaving it up to local authorities.

“We know that the environmental damage we’ve caused so far is causing catastrophic damage already, and so we need to do what we can to mitigate it.

“Recycling is in all of our control, it’s so quick and easy for us all to do and in the face of climate change when you can feel so overwhelmed and helpless, getting recycling right can and will make a huge difference.

“All of us making a more concerted effort with recycling, combined with the new Plastic Packaging Tax which is coming in very soon which will see a charge imposed on plastic packaging which doesn’t contain at least 30 per cent recycled material, will put us on a good path and have a hugely beneficial impact on our planet and our futures.”

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