At least 51,000 new jobs will be created if the UK reaches its target of 70 per cent municipal waste recycling by 2025. This is according to a report entitled ‘More jobs, less waste’ which was published by Friends of the Earth.

The report also says that a further 18,000 jobs could be created if the same goal was set for commercial and industrial waste. However, the group warned that the less waste that is recycled the fewer the jobs that will be created. For example, if the UK only recycled 50 per cent of municipal waste by 2020 and 55 per cent by 2025, then only 32,500 jobs would be created. Clearly it is in the country’s best interest both environmentally and economically to increase recycling rates.

As a result of the study. Friends of the Earth has called on the coalition government to bring its recycling goals in line with those in place in Wales and Scotland, where the devolved administrations have set both set targets to recycle 70 per cent of household waste by 2025.