Following the success of its feasibility trials encouraging Small and Medium Sized Enterprises to recycle their waste, Waste & Resources Action Programme has launched a series of larger scale demonstration trials across the United Kingdom.
Forming part of WRAP’s SME Recycling Program, the aim of the six-month-long trials is to develop convenient and cost effective recycling services on a much wider scale, making it easier for more of the country’s SMEs to recycle.
The results will build on the knowledge gained during the feasibility trials in evaluating a range of issues involved in providing SMEs with effective recycling schemes. These will include effective ways to recruit SMEs onto recycling services, collection techniques and frequencies, and charging mechanisms.
The demonstration trials involve the replication of a series of good practice models and will include multi material collections - paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, metal and aluminum cans, plastic drinking cups, computer equipment, printer and toner cartridges; glass container collections for the hospitality industry and city centre cardboard and paper collections.
WRAP notes that 16 partner organizations are taking part in the trials: Perrys Recycling, Bioregional Development Group, Greater Manchester Waste Ltd., Bryson Recycling, GPM Network, North East Recycling, Brampton Skip Hire, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Dove Recycling, Wastesavers Recycling, Can Do Recycling, and Greenlight Environmental.
Three of the trials will investigate the best method of collecting glass containers from the hospitality industry - Biffa Waste Services will collect mixed glass from SMEs in Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire, Greenhope Recycling in partnership with Recycling and Waste Services will offer collections in Greater Manchester, and Stockport Waste Management will provide a collection service in Stockport and Macclesfield.
Cardboard and paper from city centre businesses will be collected by the Durham Co in Durham and Preston City Council in Preston, whilst LEEP Recycling will provide a bespoke service for the City of Edinburgh Council trade waste customers.