WRAP launch general recycling trials for SMEs

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team May 23, 2006

Series of trials aimed at increasing participation in recycling by Small and Medium Sized Enterprises have received funding from WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme).

A series of trials aimed at increasing participation in recycling by Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have received funding from WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme).

The trials form part of a wider initiative in which WRAP is working on behalf of government to develop a feasibility study for SME recycling and identify overall areas of best practice.

Adur and Worthing Services is providing a recycling service for paper and cardboard for SMEs in the Shoreham and Lancing areas of Adur District.

The trial is particularly focusing on providing a service for offices, restaurants and retail and wholesale businesses.

Fifty businesses will be participating in the trial, which offers a weekly collection service.

CESHI (Centre for Environmental Studies in the Hospitality Industry) is part of Oxford Brookes University and specialises in partnership programmes to investigate key environmental issues.

This trial is a consortium of CESHI, Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Community Action Group Wallingford, Grundon Waste Management and HCIMA (Hotel and Catering International Management Association).

CESHI and Community Action Group Wallingford are promoting the recycling service to businesses and encouraging them to sign up to the service.

Grundon is providing the recycling service for SMEs in Wallingford, collecting commingled paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, food and drink cans.

The trial is also evaluating if there is sufficient interest in the provision of a glass recycling service for licensed premises in Wallingford, and the feasibility of commercial waste bring sites.

Seventy businesses will be participating in the trial and are also being offered free waste audits and attendance at a waste reduction workshop provided by Oxfordshire County Council.

Energywise Recycling provides recycling services for both households in Liverpool and businesses across Merseyside.

The trial is taking place in two locations; on three business parks in Knowsley and in Liverpool city centre Ropewalks area.

The service in Knowsley is collecting paper and cardboard from SMEs on a regular basis but it also provides drop off facilities on the business park.

The service in the Ropewalks area is collecting paper, cardboard and glass from offices, pubs, bars, restaurants and also provides a local drop off facility.

Two hundred businesses will be recruited to participate in the trial.

Paper Round is a large specialist office recycling businesses with more than 3,000 customers in central London.

The trial is targeting SMEs in the south east London areas of Lewisham, Bromley, Woolwich and Croydon and providing a collection and recycling service for paper, cardboard, glass, cans, tins, plastic bottles, printer cartridges and IT equipment.

The businesses can sign up to a membership service that allows them a certain number of collections each year or a pay as you go service which is ideal for businesses needing less frequent collections.

Three hundred businesses will be signing up to participate in the trial.

Kerbside (Calderdale) is a social enterprise providing recycling services for households across Calderdale.

The trial is providing a multi-material collection service for SMEs including paper, cardboard, glass, cans and tins, printer cartridges and batteries.

Businesses will be provided with collection boxes or bags and can have a weekly collection or less frequent if required.

One hundred and fifty businesses will be participating in the scheme, both in Halifax and more rural areas of Calderdale.

Liz Morrish, SME Recycling Programme Manager, said: "This range of trials show that there isn't one ideal recycling service for all SMEs".

"The services developed and provided need to be appropriate for the type of businesses, the type of waste to be collected for recycling and the location of the businesses".

"The results from these trials will be used to develop good practice guidance in providing recycling services for SMEs, with the aim to develop convenient and cost effective services to make it easier for businesses to recycle.".