On-the-go recycling boost for city centres

The London Assembly has called on mayor Boris Johnson to do more to tackle waste in the capital, while Valpak has revealed the results of its on-the-go recycling trials in Glasgow.

A report by the London Assembly’s environment committee highlighted the fact the London has the UK’s lowest recycling rate and said a consistent on-the-go scheme across the 33 boroughs was the next logical step to improve that.

It recommended providing special recycling bins in public places and transport and called for improved facilities for mixed plastics recycling

Deputy chair Darren Johnson said: "The majority of waste disposed of when people are out and about is recyclable, therefore it is essential that this does not end up in landfill."

Meanwhile Valpak has highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of on-the-go recycling following its year-long trial in Glasgow that began in March 2008.

The scheme used 15 recycling banks placed at different locations across the city centre and collected 32.85 tonnes of waste collected between April and December.

Newspapers and magazines formed the bulk of the waste collected and 9% of the waste was different plastic and metal packaging.

Valpak consultant Alison Quinn told Packaging News the project had been well received by the community and successfully introduced training schemes and created jobs for three long-term unemployed local residents.

"We’ve proven it’s an economically sustainable model, although it would not be possible without cross-sectoral partnership between public and private sectors," she said.

The Glasgow recycles project involved Danone Waters, Glasgow City Council, Waste Aware Scotland,  Wise Group and Valpak Consulting.

It was supported by a marketing campaign to inform the public about the location of the recycling banks. Posters and leaflets were distributed in a range of locations including libraries, theatres, museums and tourist information centres.

On-the-go recycling has been further boosted in the past year with Coca-Cola and Tesco rolling out facilities.

Coca-Cola has set itself the target of 80 recycling zones by 2011 in locations with heavy footfall, such as universities, theme parks, hospitals and airports.

Tesco, meanwhile, has started to roll out recycling facilities at Tesco Metro stores. Recycling was previously only available at out-of-town stores.

GLASGOW RECYCLES
(Material breakdown)

Aluminium cans 2%
HDPE bottles 1%
Newspapers/magazines 79%
Office white paper/other paper 4%
PET bottles 3%
Steel cans 3%
Residual waste 6%