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Milton Keynes Recycles Twice as Much as Luton
25 Feb
Summary
- Milton Keynes recycled 60.2% of its waste in 2023-24.
- Luton's recycling rate was 27.7% in the same period.
- Contamination and lack of convenience hinder Luton's efforts.
Milton Keynes achieved a recycling rate of 60.2% in 2023-24, more than double Luton's 27.7%. This stark difference highlights challenges in waste management. In Luton, a resident noted that recycling bins were removed from her flats due to contamination, forcing her to store and pass on recyclables to her mother.
Luton Borough Council is introducing weekly food waste collections on March 31st to boost its recycling rate, which it hopes will increase by approximately 35% from food waste alone. The council faces challenges including a deprived and transient population, prompting comparisons to London rather than Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes implemented a four-wheelie bin system in 2023, which aided a 12-percentage-point increase in its recycling rate, building on a history of recycling services. The clear bin system has improved the quality of recycling, leading Milton Keynes to aim for the top recycling city status in the country.
