musicMagpie set out on a mission to discover the most sustainable cities in the UK. Based on the responses of 2,286 adults on all things sustainability, we found the results quite interesting indeed!
We looked at the nation’s best and worst eco-friendly habits, including factors like buying refurbished tech, recycling rates, methods of travel - and even the time spent in the shower!
Find out how your city fared below!
What are the greenest cities in the UK?
The walled city of York took the highest overall score for sustainability. Here are the five greenest cities in the UK:
270 points
264 points
240.5 points
232.5 points
222 points
The best and worst city in each category
PROPORTION OF THOSE BUYING REFURBISHED TECH ITEMS
Highest: Cardiff
Lowest: Aberdeen
PROPORTION OF ZERO-PLASTIC SUPERMARKET SHOPPERS
Highest: Birmingham and York
Lowest: Wolverhampton and Cambridge
PROPORTION OF VEGANS AND VEGETARIANS
Highest: Portsmouth
Lowest: Oxford
PROPORTION OF THOSE GROWING FOOD AT HOME
Highest: York
Lowest: Leeds
PROPORTION OF WHO BUY FRUIT AND VEGETABLES LOOSE
Highest: Brighton
Lowest: Southampton
TIME SPENT SHOWERING
Highest: Southampton
Lowest: Norwich
PROPORTION OF THOSE WASHING CLOTHES AT 30 DEGREES
Highest: Newcastle
Lowest: Wrexham
RECYCLING RATES
Highest: Wrexham
Lowest: Birmingham
PROPORTION OF THOSE USING ENERGY SAVING LIGHTBULBS
Highest: Aberdeen
Lowest: Edinburgh and Norwich
PROPORTION OF THOSE BUYING LOCAL PRODUCE
Highest: Aberdeen
Lowest: Portsmouth
PROPORTION OF THOSE DONATING TO AND BUYING FROM CHARITY SHOPS
Highest: Portsmouth
Lowest: Swansea
PROPORTION OF THOSE USING PETROL OR DIESEL VEHICLES
Highest: London
Lowest: Wrexham
FREQUENCY OF PLANE TRAVEL
Highest: Wrexham
Lowest: Cardiff
PROPORTION OF THOSE UPCYCLING
Highest: Cardiff
Lowest: Portsmouth
Is Britain doing enough to be sustainable?
45% of people don’t think they’re doing enough to reduce their carbon footprint
28% of these people believe they can’t afford to be greener
17% feel the area they live in doesn’t do enough to make sustainable living easier.
Did you know that buying refurbished phones is a smart way to be sustainable? It's good for the planet and you'll save money too!
How can we reduce our carbon footprint easily?
Did you know that e-waste is contributing up to 70% of the toxic waste caused by landfill?
By purchasing high quality refurbished tech, you can promote a circular economy that reduces the impact of our growing e-waste problem. Plus, you can earn extra cash when you recycle phones and tech!
It’s super easy to recycle your tech with musicMagpie:
- Get an instant price for your old tech
- Pop them into a box - any will do!
- Ship them to us for FREE
- Get paid the same day they arrive at our warehouse!
Other ways to reduce your carbon footprint
- Switch your bulbs to energy-saving lightbulbs
- Opt for staycations where possible
- Have a meat-free day in the week!
- Shop second-hand clothes and furniture
- Choose public transport for short-distance travel
- Challenge yourself to shop plastic-free at the supermarket