The initiative is called #LeedsByExample and will aim to increase ‘on-the-go’ recycling by trialling a range of different technologies and methods to get people to recycle their items correctly.
This includes an app where people can scan the barcodes on the items and find the nearest recycling bin and ‘eye-catching signage’, which the organisers hope will help to reduce contamination levels.
New facilities will be placed on the streets, in local offices, shopping centres, universities and transport hubs for six months from October 2018, with the results published afterwards.
Contamination
James Piper, managing director of Ecosurety, which set up the campaign with Hubbub, said that a major part of the campaign was to clamp down on contamination.
“We’re aware that contamination from food and drink has been a challenge in efforts to date to improve on-street recycling,” he explained.
Mr Piper added: “The communications campaign running alongside the new recycling facilities is a critical part of #LeedsByExample and we hope this will dramatically reduce the level of contamination so that more of the waste collected can be recycled.”
Backed
The scheme, which is being run in conjunction with Leeds City Council is backed by many major retailers which operate in Leeds, including Alupro, Asda, Cafe Nero, Coca-Cola GB and Starbucks.
It’s hoped that increased facilities, tied in with more visible communications, will help people who want to recycle to be able to do so easily.
Speaking ahead of today’s launch, Gavin Ellis, director and co-founder of Hubbub said the charity is interested to see how the scheme will work.
“The huge range of eye-catching recycling bins and communications throughout Leeds city centre will make it really easy for residents, workers and visitors to spot their nearest recycling point,” Mr Ellis explained.
He added: “We’re interested to discover which of these will make the biggest difference and will share what we learn openly so that the most successful elements can be rolled out in Leeds and nationally. We’re also making sure that all of the recycling we collect will be processed in the UK as locally as possible.”
Leeds City Council has actually seen its recycling rate drop in the last three years, from around 42% in 2013/14 to 37.9% in 2016/17, the latest available figures.
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