Wednesday 2nd July 2008
Campaign for Real Recycling Launches Recycling Collection Hierarchy
The Campaign for Real Recycling will launch its recycling collection hierarchy at the Local Government Association annual conference in Bournemouth this coming Wednesday lunchtime.
The hierarchy represents what the campaign members objectively find to be the most sustainable and cost effective methods of collecting recyclable materials. The ‘best’ and most preferable method as far as maintaining the quality of materials collected is kerbside source separated. The worst approach is what is commonly referred to as the “survival bag”, where a mix of recyclable materials are placed in a single bag that is collected in the same time at the same time as normal household waste (black bags).
“There are many variations in between these two extremes and different materials behave in different ways to contamination and compaction,” said Eric Randall of Bryson Recycling, a company that runs both kerbside sorted and co-mingled systems. “A twin stream system, collecting paper and card separately from all other materials, if done carefully, for example, can often produce good quality materials suitable for UK re-processors. The same system managed poorly, treating the materials as waste, on the other hand, will produce poor quality materials of little value.
“This hierarchy provides local authorities with an ideal starting point when reviewing their recycling systems.”
Mal Williams, chair of the campaign added: “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.”
“Quality is the key word in this hierarchy” said Chris White of Paperchain. “The nearer the top of the pyramid your collection method, the easier you’ll find the marketing of materials and thus revenue generation to offset your collection costs.”
Download a PDF of the recycling hierarchy.
Information for Editors:
1. The Campaign for Real Recycling wants central government and local authorities to act urgently to improve the quality of materials collected for recycling in the UK. Real recycling is about maximising the economic, environmental and social benefits of recycling for everyone, from the local council tax payer to the global re-processing industry. Our concern is that collection systems that gather a range of different materials in one bag or bin and then compact them could permanently undermine the environmental and financial benefits of recycling. Our campaign aims to influence local authority policy and practice, and build consensus within the UK of the economic and environmental importance of highly separated collections.
2. Campaign for Real Recycling supporters:
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