A recent report from the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has unveiled four of the main barriers which prevent people from recycling their waste. Also listed is series of steps designed to help local authorities increase their recycling rates. Over the past decade, the average recycling rate across Britain has raised from 7% to 33%, however, WRAP sees promise to raise the rate even higher.
The four main barriers are:
Physical - when containers for collecting recycling are unsuitable; when there is no space for storage, when collections are unreliable; when people have no way of getting to recycling sites
Behavioral - if people are too busy; if they struggle with establishing a routine for sorting out recycling; if they forget to put it out
Lack of knowledge - not knowing which materials can be recycled; not understanding how their local scheme works
Attitudes and perceptions - not believing recycling is good for the environment; not wanting to sort waste; not feeling personally rewarded for recycling
Phillip Ward, Director of Local Government Services at WRAP, said, “Only by addressing these barriers will we get people to recycle more things more often. Good communication about their recycling service is vital but it will not persuade people to use services which are unreliable or too complicated. We believe this research will help local authorities boost their own recycling rates and to build on their existing successes. WRAP will continue to support local authorities in achieving this.”
Source: Recycling Today
For more information, visit: wrap.org.uk
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