Recoup play a key role in ‘on the go’ recycling << Back to Main News Page Added: Tuesday, 11 November 2008 The implementation of facilities which allow people to recycle their empty drinks packaging when they are out and about has been a hot topic for many months. The government highlighted ‘on the go’ recycling as a focus area in its waste strategy of 2007, and since then a number of schemes and trials have been launched across the country in locations such as shopping centres, airports and train stations – a significant step considering security issues surrounding bins at such locations, supermarkets, theme parks and city centres. A recent consultation paper from Defra found that over 95% of respondents thought that public recycle bins should be more readily available. Even a TV producer from outside the recycling industry has got involved – by developing a split rubbish and recycling bin which is currently being successfully trialled (with the help of London Remade) in the London boroughs of Camden and Lewisham. The ‘Greenie’ bin is also said to be a European first as it is made from recycled materials. Recoup has been part of one of the most prominent and innovative such schemes – the ‘Recycling Zone’ project run by Coca Cola Enterprises and WRAP. The project was launched in 2002, with the first phase of work trialling recycling schemes in schools, and the second (in 2005) involving trials in schools and workplaces. The third phase of the scheme trials on-the-go recycling facilities in high profile locations which experience high footfall, and was launched in May at Thorpe Park in Surrey . It has since been rolled out to Festival Place shopping centre in Basingstoke, Legoland Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures and Warwick University. Recoup are the technical partners in the project, providing advice and guidance to each of the potential zones on the most appropriate type and number of bins to use as well as ensuring that the necessary mechanics are in place for each of the zones to handle the segregated waste streams. Recoup have also developed an online data capture tool which will be used by each of the participating zones to record their monthly collection values. This information will be used to assess the performance of each zone and provide feedback. Recoup’s lead on the Recycling Zone scheme, Project Manager Andy Newton, said: “'On the go’ recycling is an area which consumers have been very keen to engage with. Since the first launch of a Recycling Zone at Thorpe Park, the level of interest has been significant. Now with five zones launched, the impact that these are having in terms of diverting recyclable materials away from landfill is making a real difference.” The Recycling Zone programme will launch 80 zones by 2011. Recoup also recently completed a 12 month trial of reverse vending machines for plastic bottles, in conjunction with GlaxoSmithKline and Recycling Options. The trial ran across three shopping centres, with over 17,000 PET bottles recycled using the machines during the trial period. The final report for this project is currently being finalised and will be available shortly.