Kent ‘Live Lab’ – Understanding Plastics – Moving plastics recycling tonnages UP to achieve targets

RECOUP recognize that behaviour change is a critical element of successful plastic recycling services and have a range of resources and collateral available, endorsed by Recycle Now. However, little to no funding for delivering and improving consumer plastics recycling behaviour through education materials are today prioritized by Local authorities and producer funding schemes. Despite the increased media and political attention in recent years, research from RECOUP and other organisations has continued to confirm that many consumers remain confused and unengaged on the importance of recycling plastics packaging.

With pressing recycling targets from voluntary schemes, such as the UK Plastics Pact and evolving legislative drivers, if citizens do not increase their recycling behaviour and recycling infrastructure does not evolve such targets will not be realized. 

This unique programme of work will deliver citizen communication strategies on plastics recycling across 13 the Kent councils (650,000 households) that collect plastic bottles and pots, tubs and trays at kerbside. The research work will provide robust analysis of how different communications campaigns impact on the quality and quantity of plastics recovered from households based on a large trial throughout Kent. The programme will make evidence-based recommendations on the most effective communication strategies to maximise the collected quality and quantity of plastics from household collections across the UK.  Turning Kent into a ‘Live Lab’.  

To find out more contact:   Anne Hitch, Citizen & Stakeholder Engagement Manager, RECOUP

e-mail: [email protected]; Telephone: 01733 375676 or Mobile: 07738542860