WRAP launches novel projects to explore SME recycling opportunities
29 March 2010
The projects will be managed by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and funded by Defra as part of its Commercial and Industrial Waste programme. They will run a bring bank service for at least six months on three sites, with the aim of developing commercially viable service models that can be replicated across England.
By offering a bring bank solution to enable several nearby SMEs to recycle, it is hoped that a number of the barriers previously encountered can be overcome. Barriers to recycling for SMEs include lack of storage, difficulties in obtaining recycling collections, and lack of incentive to recycle.
One project will operate at two business parks on the outskirts of Bristol, where steel storage containers to collect the recyclable materials will be located in accessible places on each business park. Businesses that sign up to the scheme will be able to recycle glass, cardboard, paper, cans and plastic bottles. Incentives such as free waste reviews and free glass collection will be used to attract businesses to the scheme.
The second project will trial a new model using a bring bank site adjacent to a cash and carry warehouse on Merseyside. This system is similar to those successfully used at Household Waste and Recycling Centres across the country. The Merseyside trade recycling centre will operate on a membership basis and provide SMEs with a viable, cost-effective opportunity to recycle their waste. SMEs will be able to sign up to the scheme via a bespoke website, and will be able to recycle paper, cardboard, rigid and flexible plastics, and WEEE.
WRAP will be reviewing the pilots after six months of operation and if successful, will be encouraging the roll out these service models more widely.
Linda Crichton, WRAP said: “We hope that these schemes will overcome some of the barriers encountered previously by SMEs and make it easier for small businesses to recycle their waste. We look forward to the results of the trials.”
Editor's notes
- The pilot in Bristol will be managed by Resource Futures and operated by May Gurney. The pilot in Merseyside will be operated by Centrol Recycling Group and managed by Gordon Mackie Associates with support from Envirolink Northwest.
- This project represents Action 1 in Defra’s Commercial and industrial Waste in England: Statement of aims and actions 2009. Published October 2009.
- WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change.
- Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Working in seven key areas (Construction, Retail, Manufacturing, Organics, Business Growth, Behavioural Change, and Local Authority Support), WRAP’s work focuses on market development and support to drive forward recycling and materials resource efficiency within these sectors, as well as wider communications and awareness activities including the multi-media national Recycle Now campaign for England.
- More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on www.wrap.org.uk
WRAP Press Office
Tel: 01295 819638
press.office@wrap.org.uk
