A new report published by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP), has shown that there are simple instructions for local authorities to follow to increase recycling.
Recycling rates have soared over the past ten years, going from 7% to 33% in English households, however WRAP feels that it can still be better.
WRAP commissioned the study at the end of last year in hopes of understanding the barriers that keep householders from recycling.
52% of recyclers said the lack of recycling collections prevents them from doing more. Not that the collections are unavailable, they only offer a small list of acceptable materials. Other obstacles include unreliable collections or inability to get to a recycling site.
48% of recyclers confessed that they still bin things because they didn’t know what items could be recycled. In fact, the study showed that these same people were unsure about what items the recycling containers were used for. WRAP believes that it all goes back to educating the public on the various recycling scheme.
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.”
The full report can be viewed at wrap.org.uk/barrierstorecycling
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