Greenredeem, a company that exchanges recycling for points, this month celebrated the first anniversary of the scheme to which more than 23,500 householders have subscribed.
The scheme allows residents to earn points by logging their recycling activities with the firm. The points are then converted into vouchers which can be used at local businesses in the borough.
Since its initiation, some 2.2 million points have donated by householders to local community projects, equating to over £10,000 in grants.
The Greenford Park Residents’ Association was the first project to benefit from the scheme, receiving a new oven to allow the group to offer young people cookery lessons.
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, Ealing’s member for environment and transport, said: “I am delighted that we have been rewarding residents who recycle in Ealing. With more than 23,500 subscribers, the scheme has helped us continue to increase our recycling rates whilst also supporting some fantastic local community groups.
Rob Crumbie, director of communications and marketing at Greenredeem, added: “We’re delighted at the success of the residents reward scheme over the last year. The enthusiasm of the local community to undertake green actions has been outstanding.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to build on this over the coming months and years to further improve the local environment, as well as further help local businesses and community groups.”
Rate
Ealing is expected to achieve a 45% overall recycling rate in 2014/15 – around 5% more than the previous year. Greenredeem attributes some of this progress to the rewards scheme.
Reward schemes received a boost last year with the announcement of a £5 million recycling fund from DCLG to incentivise councils to adopt the programmes. In March the fund was raised to £11 million (see letsrecycle.com story).
Despite interest in the schemes, questions remain over their effectiveness to boost recycling rates.
Halton
Earlier this month, Halton council – one of the first to adopt the Greenredeem scheme when it was formerly Recyclebank – axed the incentives blaming cuts in its funding from central government (see letsrecycle.com story).
However, two more councils – Oxford and Teignbridge in Devon – have launched recycling incentive schemes this month after successfully bidding for funding via DCLG.
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