ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has welcomed the findings of an on-the-go recycling trial in Leeds.
Leeds By Example, a campaign launched by environmental behaviour change charity Hubbub and recycling compliance scheme Ecosurety, has published the results of their six-month trial.
The campaign, supported by ACS, aimed to raise awareness about on-the-go packaging and encourage consumers to recycle in the correct recycling bins. As part of the initiative, 124 eye-catching recycling points were introduced in Leeds city centre these included: on-street bins, recycle reward machines and other recycling points in retailers and workplaces.
Results from the trial found that the proportion of people disposing of plastic bottles, cans and coffee cups in a recycling bin increased from 17% to 32%. Overall, a total of 600,000 coffee cups, 65,000 cans and 55,000 bottles were recycled during the six-month period.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are pleased to be a supporter of the Leeds By Example campaign, to better understand the dynamics of on street recycling. The findings are clear that local collaboration, strong communications and robust recycling infrastructure are the key drivers of better on the go recycling.
“Locating recycling reward machines in a convenience store has provided useful insights into customers’ reactions and some of the logistical challenges with installing the machines, and we will be feeding these findings into governments in Scotland the rest of the UK as they develop plans for Deposit Return Schemes.”
The trial has been extended by a further six months and there are plans for Swansea and Edinburgh to adopt the model later this year.
For further information on Leeds By Example visit www.leedsbyexample.co.uk
