Manchester recycling for all: increasing participation in recycling by offering choice and alternatives to low recycling communities

Williams, I.D. and Culleton, A. (2009) Manchester recycling for all: increasing participation in recycling by offering choice and alternatives to low recycling communities. Sardinia 2009: Twelfth International Waste Management and Landfill Symposium, Sardinia, Italy. 05 - 09 Oct 2009.

Abstract

This study investigated approaches to encourage participation in recycling in one of the most deprived parts of England; areas of high social and economic deprivation in Manchester where populations are often transient, householders live in small, old-fashioned properties (terraced housing), local environmental quality is poor and crime rates are high. The principal aim of the study was to identify measures which can be introduced by waste collection authorities in deprived areas to improve participation in recycling by engagement and effective communication with the local community. In addition, the study aimed to monitor any changes in the recycling behaviour of residents prior to and during the trial and establish what impact(s), if any, the introduction of so-called “back-alley bring sites” (BABS) had on the local environment. The methodology was designed to engage the local community in decision-making and offered choices to residents so that the design of the recycling scheme was better suited to meet the needs of the residents. The study demonstrated that recycling rates can be improved in “difficult communities” by offering an opportunity to residents to make informed choices about possible options. The use of BABS was a successful alternative to kerbside collections and collected more than twice the usual quantities of recyclate materials. The approach encouraged non-recycling households in these communities to begin recycling and the environmental impact of the BABS was found to be minimal throughout the trial. The use of BABS increased participation in recycling and recycling rates and offered a more cost-effective means of collection recyclates from high-density terraced housing. It is apparent that this approach to waste management in “difficult communities” could be employed in future to assist in the achievement of higher recycling target.

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Contributors

Author: I.D. Williams

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