UK’s cleanest cities: Birmingham fails to impress, ranking among the lowest in new study

A recent study by Waste Direct analysed over 40 major cities in the UK to compile a list of the top 10 cleanest ones.

Key metrics include air quality carrying the highest weight, followed by drinking water quality and rubbish disposal.

Additional factors, such as the percentage of cleanliness and tidiness, noise pollution, green space quality, and the comfort of public spaces, were weighted equally for each, providing insights into the overall environmental health of the cities.

Main data was taken from Numbeo and World Population Review, ensuring reliable measurements across all locations.

So what about Birmingham?

Birmingham has a composite score of 57.50, ranking in 34th place out of 40, placing it below many of its counterparts in environmental rankings.

However, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Bath, Manchester, Portsmouth and London all ranked below the Second City.

Key scores included:

• Air quality: 53.41
• Water quality: 71.34
• Drinking water 73.13
• Rubbish disposal satisfaction: 52.44
• Quiet and no problems with night lights: 43.9
• Green space and parks quality 57.69
• Clean and tidy: 42.07
• Comfortable to spend time in city; 64.88

Elsewhere in the UK

Dundee is the UK's cleanest city, with a composite score of 82.

The city reports the highest air quality and drinking water quality scores, making it the healthiest place in the area to breathe and drink.

Dundee’s green spaces score of 80 and its high public accessibility reinforce its position as the UK's cleanest urban centre.Exeter comes second among the cleanest UK cities.

The city is notable for its air and drinking water qualities, scoring high in both categories.

While the city performed relatively well in drinking and water quality, the other areas were moderate to low.

Exeter records the highest score in urban cleanliness metrics, supported by an efficient waste management system. The city offers plenty of green spaces, along with comfortable public areas, with a score of 88 - one of the highest in the country.

Milton Keynes ranks third with a composite score of 79. The city’s air quality score of 85.71 is among the highest in the study, along with a competitive drinking water quality. The city has the highest rate for green spaces and parks quality at 87.5, ensuring its spot as one of the cleanest cities in the UK.

Chester has a composite score of 79.2, ranking fourth on the list. Scoring high in both drinking water at 90 and air quality at 81, the city creates a healthy urban environment supported by a high cleanliness level.

Chester exceeds Dundee with a perfect 100 score for its comfortable public spaces, providing plenty of green spaces and parks.

Durham ranks fifth with strong drinking water quality. The city achieves a competitive score for cleanliness and offers great green spaces, earning an 86 rating for parks.

Durham demonstrates effective environmental management with higher air quality than Exeter and the highest garbage disposal satisfaction rate among all the cities on the list.

Oxford holds the sixth position with a composite score of 76.6. The city delivers strong air and good drinking water quality, providing clean and healthy living space.

Oxford compensates for its moderate tidiness score with a relatively high percentage of green spaces, earning a score of 88.Belfast ranks seventh with a composite score of 76.2.

The city excels in drinking water quality at 86 and earns strong garbage management ratings.

Belfast's well-kept public spaces score high, with one of the highest drinking water quality and accessibility rates, scoring 86.5. The city also has strong results in noise control and maintains high-quality green spaces. York comes eighth among the cleanest UK cities with a 75.9 score.

The city has one of the highest public accessibility rates at 88.6 and notable air quality.

York gets high marks for excellent noise control, a high public accessibility rating of 87, and quality air standards at 81.Sheffield holds the ninth spot with a composite score of 74.

Despite being the largest city in the study with a population of 685,368, Sheffield maintains impressive green space quality at 88 and strong drinking water standards scoring 84.52.

Derby completes the list of the cleanest cities in the UK with a composite score of 73.

The city has great drinking water quality at 87 and competitive air quality, providing a clean environment.

Expert comment

The spokesperson from Waste Direct, Evie Graham, commented on the study: “Environmental measurements across British urban areas show how well-maintained streets, good air and water quality, thoughtful building layouts, and plenty of green spaces blend together to create liveable urban environments.

“The findings demonstrate that careful urban development, when balanced with strong environmental standards, creates not just functional spaces but clean and tidy neighbourhoods that support both physical and social well-being.

“Investing in environmental quality isn't just about conservation - it's about creating urban spaces where communities can flourish.”