London ‘worst city in Europe’ for recycling

London sends more waste to landfill than any other major European city, according to a study published by a leading waste management company.


Suez Environnement has published the study looking at issues such as waste per capita, recycling rates and frequency of collections.

The British capital fares poorly in league tables, with the average Londoner throwing out 520kg per year, the fifth highest rate of any European city.

Over half of this (52%) goes to landfill, with 22% being recycled and the remainder incinerated.

By contrast, the average Copenhagen citizen bins 420kg per year but just 1% is sent to landfill, with the rest recycled or burnt for energy production.

Collection frequency varies dramatically, with the average Londoner having their rubbish picked up once a week while Parisians enjoy daily collections and, remarkably, the people of Bucharest receiving visits from the bin men twice per day in the height of summer.

Sam Bond

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