Dundee, Scotland, is the cleanest city in the UK according to a study which analysed eight cleanliness factors.
Waste Direct compared over 40 major UK cities against markers like air and water quality, based on data from Numbeo and World Population Review.
Dundee scored top overall, with the highest air quality and drinking water quality scores of all cities, at 90 and 92.5 respectively out of a possible 100, as well as a green spaces score of 80.
Air quality carried the highest weight in the ranking system accounting for 20% of the overall score, followed by drinking water quality and waste disposal, both weighted at 15%.
Additional factors were weighted equally at 10% each, including cleanliness and tidiness, noise pollution, green space quality, and the comfort of public spaces.
Exeter came second among the cleanest UK cities with a ranking just below Dundee’s 82 at 81.25, and ranked highest overall for its urban cleanliness. It also scored well on air and drinking water quality, as well as green spaces.
Milton Keynes ranks third with one of the top air quality scores, and it also ranked well for its abundant green spaces and parks.
Chester scored a perfect 100 score for its public spaces, earning it the fourth spot on the list overall, while its drinking water and air quality also fared highly.
Durham, which ranks fifth, has even higher air quality than Exeter and the highest waste disposal satisfaction rating among all cities on the list.
Derby completeed the top ten list, with an overall score of 73 partly due to its drinking water quality.
Waste Direct spokesperson Evie Graham commented: “The findings demonstrate that careful urban development, when balanced with strong environmental standards, creates not just functional spaces but clean and tidy neighborhoods 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.”
Overall cleanliness score, according to Waste Direct
- Dundee – 82.00
- Exeter – 81.25
- Milton Keynes – 79.86
- Chester – 79.25
- Durham – 77.43
- Oxford – 76.65
- Belfast – 76.25
- York – 75.95
- Sheffield – 74.07
- Derby – 73.67
