The environment is a top priority for Welsh voters despite a growing worldwide clamour to scrap green policies, a poll has revealed.

Some 72 percent of those polled in Wales said protecting the Welsh countryside and waterways from the scourge of litter (via recycling) was a top political priority.

The poll of 1,100 adults in Wales was conducted between 7 and 9 March by Redfield and Wilton Strategies on behalf of Alupro. 

With a local authority recycling rate of 66.6 percent, Wales currently has the highest council recycling performance of any of the UK nations. Wales is also set to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers.

Campaigners say delivering effective environmental policy is key to keeping Wales’s beautiful landscape free of litter for this and generations to come.

The poll also revealed 56 percent of Welsh voters approve of the Welsh Government’s record on recycling.

The poll coincides with an event in the Senedd hosted by Alupro and attended by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies.

The event is also set to include speeches from a host of figures including: 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 organisation with over 30 years’ experience representing the UK’s aluminium packaging industry.

Alupro works to fulfil the industry’s obligation to meet, and exceed, recycling targets for aluminium packaging.

Alupro is achieving this by working in partnership with local authorities, the waste management industry and the wider metal packaging sector to develop and stimulate the UK’s collection infrastructure.

Alupro also manages and runs consumer information and education campaigns to encourage participation in recycling schemes.

Aluminium is a ‘permanent material’, meaning it can be recycled over and over again with no loss of quality. Some 75 percent of all the aluminium ever produced is still in use today.

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.”