Halton, Cheshire has seen a huge increase in recycling efforts since the advent of a new programme which aims to make recycling easier for the local residents. The new rewards system offered by RecycleBank, a recycling initiative established by the Halton Borough Council, has helped to boost local recycling figures.
Since the start of the new scheme in October of 2009, more residents have begun recycling to take advantage of the rewards systems resulting in a 20 percent increase in recyclable waste per each household. The first phase of the new scheme will conclude in April 2010, and then the local council will meet to discuss a possible extension and borough wide version of the same scheme.
The programme has operate by offering residents who recycle a way to earn vouchers applicable to shops like Marks & Spencers. Vouchers in different amounts are issued based on the amount of recycling per kilo each household generates.
Phil Harris, who sits on the Halton Borough Council as the executive board member, stated that his only criticism of the scheme is that its not offered everywhere. He added that councils nationwide are coming under immense pressure to up recycling efforts and he believes that Halton is setting the curve by showing that innovative new programmes are the way to encourage recycling.
The research from the trial by RecycleBank shows that residents in these areas have begun recycling more often and more efficiently since incentives began being offered. RecycleBank schemes were also launched in Maidenhead and Windsor last year and showed improvements in recycling in those areas as well.
|
|
