72% of Welsh voters see recycling as ‘top priority’

72% of 1,100 Welsh adults who took part in a recent survey said that using recycling to protect the Welsh countryside and waterways was “a top political priority” for them.  

The poll was conducted between 7 and 9 March 2025 by Redfield and Wilton Strategies on behalf of Alupro.  

It also found that 56% of Welsh voters approve of the government’s record on recycling. Wales currently has the highest local authority recycling rate in the UK at 66.6%. 

Tom Giddings, executive director at Alupro, said: “Despite a growing worldwide clamour to water down green policies, Welsh voters clearly care deeply about the environment. 

“As an industry we are clear that higher recycling rates are good for people and planet. Delivering consistent local authority kerbside collections is key to ensuring all recyclable packaging is collected for recycling. 

“Wales’s deposit return scheme will be at the heart of a recycling revolution too. I look forward to discussing these opportunities at the Senedd this week.” 

Alupro Senedd event 

The poll comes ahead of an event hosted in the Senedd by Alupro which is set to have Welsh deputy first minister Huw Irranca-Davies in attendance. 

The event will also include speeches from: Janet Finch-Saunders MS, shadow cabinet secretary for climate change and environment (Conservative), Mike Hedges MS, member, Senedd Climate, Nature and Wellbeing Cross Party Group (Labour) (Event Sponsor), and Owen Derbyshire, chief executive officer, Keep Wales Tidy. 

Alupro is an industry-funded not-for-profit which has represented the UK’s aluminium packaging industry for over 30 years.  

The association aims to fulfil the industry’s obligation to meet – and exceed – recycling targets for aluminium packaging. It works with local authorities, the waste management industry and the wider metal packaging sector to develop and stimulate the UK’s collection infrastructure. 

Want to find out more about recycling and local authorities in Wales? Join us at the LARAC Wales Conference on 8 July 2025 in Cardiff. Register your interest here.