SWAP is working with Ashfield District Council on a new campaign to encourage shoppers to recycle their packaging waste using the multi-material twin bin kerbside collection service currently being rolled-out in the area.
The scheme is likely to run in Tesco, Co-op, Asda and possibly B&Q; stores in the area. “Being the places where people effectively buy packaging, supermarkets and DIY stores are an ideal place to have reminders,” said Helen Shiels, retail project manager at SWAP.
“We will be putting posters around the stores and also providing other visual messages like filling trollies up with products that have recyclable packaging, to get the message across,” she said.
Ms Shiels added that she was encouraged by the support supermarkets were showing but said it was sometimes a struggle to use physical and tannoy space in stores because shops also have their own messages to get across.
It is hoped this new initiative will help Ashfield, which had a low recycling rate of 5.4% in 2002-2003, reach 30% by 2005. So far the new twin bin service with alternate weekly collections of residual waste and recyclables has helped Ashfield increase its recycling rate to nearly 25%.
“Even though we are doing well, we are going that extra mile,” said Peter Columbine, waste and refuse collection manager at Ashfield District Council. “We are not an authority to rest on our laurels. We will also be rolling out glass kerbside collections in November to encourage even more recycling.”
SWAP has also been approached by councils in Manchester and Sheffield with the prospect of promoting recycling services in their areas.
The consultancy is contracted to the Waste and Resources Action Programme to provide support for WRAPs new national recycling campaign which launches in September.
“This project fits well with what WRAP is doing. As long as the campaign has big emphasis on recycling, because the public think of reducing and reusing as recycling and respond better to that word,” explained the project manager.
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