The West Midlands local authority teamed up with its waste and recycling contractor Serco to launcha Go Green Reward Scheme on April 1, through which up to 270,000 will be available for the community over the next two years in areas where householders recycle more.
The money comes from a grant of 1.06 million from Communities Secretary Eric Pickles Weekly Collection Support Scheme (see letsrecycle.com story), plus funds from Serco.
All areas in Sandwell will get the chance to take part in the Go Green Reward Scheme for a four-month period during the next two years. Recycling rates in each area will be monitored during the four months.
Residents will receive details through their door when its their areas turn to take part. In total, 24 areas will take part, each comprising of roughly 5,000 households.
Funds will be made available for use in the community and at nearby schools if recycling rates in the area increase during four months compared to the same period the year before.
A spokesman for Sandwell council told letsrecycle.com that the incentive scheme was not based on any in operation elsewhere in the country, but had been designed by Serco and the council.
Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell councils cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: Were very happy to launch this scheme as it will help boost recycling rates in Sandwell even further.
Our recycling rate has rocketed over the past three years from 29% to around half of all domestic waste now and we expect to be one of the countrys better performers when figures come out for 2012/13.
This new scheme will help build on this rapid increase. It also allows us to give something back to communities where people are doing their bit to recycle as much as they can.
“This scheme allows us to give something back to communities where people are doing their bit to recycle as much as they can”
Cllr Ian Jones, Sandwell council
Community-led environmental charity Litter Watch and Sandwell Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) will help channel reward money to schools and community initiatives.
These may include new facilities and equipment for local schools, after-school activities for children and young people, activities for older people, landscaping and planting and local events and projects.
Nappies
Other projects the 1.06 million government grant is being used for include a pilot scheme to recycle nappies and another to recycle small electrical items and batteries.
Councillor Steve Eling, deputy council leader and chair of the waste partnership, said: The new scheme rewards areas and communities, rather than individuals, for their work to boost recycling and will help raise awareness of the value of recycling.
There are lots of good environmental reasons in addition to good financial arguments.
Landfill tax which we pay for every tonne of waste that is not recycled is going up again in April by 8 per tonne (to 72 per tonne), so every extra tonne we can recycle and is diverted from landfill will be save the council taxpayer the payment of this tax.
Serco
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Jason Holtom, partnership director, Serco, said: We are delighted we can offer an incentive scheme to encourage recycling across the borough. We want to reward residents that continue to take recycling on board in such a positive way.
This scheme is a win for the environment and a win for residents in Sandwell and we hope that the rewards will have a real impact on local communities. I encourage residents to actively take part and help us spread the word as we introduce the scheme to the whole borough over the next 24 months.
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