Campaign for Real Recycling Hierarchy Revealed

The Campaign for Real Recycling launched its new hierarchy yesterday in an effort to encourage local authorities to choose source-separated kerbside schemes over other programmes.

Last month, a WRAP study showed that kerbside sort is still the most economic scheme versus commingled schemes. A Camden study, published last week, also found that source separated collections in the borough had a smaller carbon footprint than its commingled service.

Campaign members were given the opportunity to state which they believe is the most sustainable and cost effective method of collecting recyclables. The top three were source-separated schemes, triple stream and twin stream collections.

Commingled collection without glass comes in fourth, followed by commingled collections with glass. Commingled collections with residual waste are at the bottom of the barrel.

The hierarchy’s launch at the Local Government Association’s annual conference in Bournemouth represents “a step up in the Campaign’s efforts to promote source-separated collections over commingled schemes”.

Mal Williams, Chair of the Campaign for Real Recycling, said: “The hierarchy provides local authorities with a clear indication of what the UK reprocessing industry is asking for. The fact that kerbside sort produces the best quality materials is not new. Clear guidance of what materials cause contamination problems when mingled is new.

“I urge all recycling managers and senior budget holders to take the hierarchy as their starting point when reviewing their collection systems,” he added.

Chris White of Paperchain said: “Quality is the key word in this hierarchy. The nearer the top of the pyramid your collection method, the easier you’ll fund the marketing of materials and thus revenue generation to offset your collection costs.”

For more information, visit: realrecycling.org