More than 70,000 new jobs could be cretaed in the UK if people recycled more, according to research campaign group by Friends of the Earth.

The group’s report found that at least 51,400 new jobs would be created across the UK if it recycled 70% of the waste collected by local councils. More than 18,800 jobs could be created if the country recycled commercial and industrial waste at the same rate.

Wales and Scotland plan to recycle 70% of council-collected waste by 2025. However, Northern Ireland and England - where the vast majority of waste is generated - are aiming to recycle only half of it.

Julian Kirby, waste campaigner at Friends of the Earth, says: “If the Coalition is serious about creating a green, jobs-rich economy then it must unlock the wealth in our waste and help consumers to recycle as much as possible.”

Paul Gosling, operations director at environmental recruiter Allen & York Sustainable Recruitment, told Recruiter: “New technologies are revolutionising the waste industry. We have seen a move away from landfill towards recycling job opportunities and welcome a push towards more ambitious recycling targets.”

The research also shows if the whole of Europe recycled 70% of its waste, it would create more than half a million new jobs.

The report also shows that recycling creates around 10 times more jobs per tonne than sending rubbish to landfill or incineration.