The carrot approach

There has been a lot of debate recently around the use of financial mechanisms to increase municipal recycling rates.

The highest profile discussions followed the decision of Eric Pickles to remove local authorities powers in England to fine residents who continually contaminate recycling. Whilst as an environmental technology and software developer AMCS Group focuses on the provision of accurate and detailed recycling data, and not necessarily the way this is used to effect behavioural change, this did seem like a debatable decision. There are certainly examples in Ireland and Europe of increased enforcement having played an important role in improving the quantity and quality of recycled material when coupled with more targeted household communication.

As far as I am aware this was not a power that was being widely used in England and there is certainly no evidence that it was being abused. Over and above removing a potential recycling tool, albeit one that should be used as a last resort, the message it sends is perhaps not a useful one in times when we are all focused on delivering higher quality material.

Pay As You Throw

The topic of Pay As You Throw (PAYT) is one that is only slightly less emotive than fining but has been the matter of some discussion at the recent CIWM and Resource Association conferences. There is obviously strong support for such systems from within the waste and resources sector. We were however left in no doubt by Dr Colin Church at the recent RA event when he recognised that whilst the majority of delegates in the room were in the main advocates of PAYT there was little or no support from any other quarter and that there was no likelihood of it registering on Defras radar any time soon. Whilst the evidence in support of PAYT is overwhelming we find ourselves in a position where it is socially and politically undeliverable at this point in time.

If a financial impact does indeed help change our behaviour and increase recycling rates then how do we develop it in a more acceptable way? The answer may lie in a more creative use of the information that is now available to recycling operators. Over many years AMCS Group have developed a range of solutions that deliver a combination of on-board vehicle technology and operational software. These include dynamic weighing, RFID and ELEMOS our latest suite of software that can provide local authorities with data on recycling activity on a house-by-house and bin-by-bin level. We should take advantage of this information. I believe this provides us with two very powerful opportunities.

Transparency

Firstly we can give residents access to their recycling information. A simple online portal can enable them to see their own recycling performance and compare it with that of their neighbours, street and authority. They will also be able to understand how their material follows the hierarchy of waste through the recycling process. This will not only create healthy competition but will also help dispel myths that all recycling ends up in a landfill site anyway so whats the point?

Secondly it gives us the opportunity to set up incentivisation and reward schemes, something that Lord de Mauley recently voiced his support for. This may see residents receiving a reduction in their council tax bill, authorities teaming up with an existing reward scheme such as Nectar and Clubcard, or rewarding a local parish with funding towards a community based project. This may also develop the opportunity for manufacturers of household brands who are working to close the loop and develop a truly circular economy to setup schemes which help them bring more secondary material back in to their manufacturing process.

The point was well made at the recent RA conference that any plans to remove local authority recycling targets should not be confused with removing our ability to measure our performance and understand what is happening to these increasingly scarce resources.

In summary, if we are to drive improvement in reuse and recycling then Local Authorities will need to have a number of different tools available to support them. The successful blend and use of these tools will require them to have access to the right technology and data.