Group Tests Recycling Services in Smaller Operations

SMEs based in Manchester and Oxford city centers will benefit from the trials, which will help WRAP evaluate the most appropriate recycling services for SMEs in terms of collection technique, collection frequency, and materials to collect.

The trials form part of a wider initiative in which WRAP is working on behalf of government to develop a feasibility study for SME recycling and identify overall areas of best practice.

EMERGE Recycling is a Manchester, UK-based social enterprise with experience of operating recycling services for both households and businesses. The trial is providing an innovative new recycling service for SMEs in Manchester city center in which paper and cardboard for recycling from offices, shops, pubs, clubs and restaurants are being collected.

The service is provided seven days a week and mirrors the current waste disposal services – bags of paper and cardboard are left by the businesses on the curbside at set times of the day for collection by EMERGE Recycling. One hundred and fifty businesses will be signed up to participate in the trial.

Oxford City Council currently provides a cardboard recycling service to Oxford University colleges and larger size businesses. This trial is providing a cardboard recycling service specifically targeting smaller retail businesses in Oxford city center and the Cowley Road area. The service will collect bundles of flattened cardboard on a regular basis, removing the need for businesses to find space for collection containers. Oxford City Council can also collect paper, glass, cans and tins if individual businesses are interested. Seventy businesses will be participating in the trial.

The results of these trials will be used to develop good practice in providing recycling services to SMEs in city center locations.”