Two Measured Parameters Correlated to Participation Rates in Curbside Recycling Schemes in the UK

Local authorities in the United Kingdom are currently changing their approach towards recycling as they attempt to meet legislative targets. An important part of this drive is the provision of an effective curbside recycling service and it is vital to understand the parameters that influence the performance of the system offered. In this article, three primary datasets, collected from over 1400 households each, are examined for parameters correlated to participation rates. Two measured parameters were found that are not commonly identified in previous studies of curbside recycling schemes, and they are shown to merit further investigation as useful tools for planning purposes. One is the number of types of material collected; participation rates are greater for schemes collecting more materials. The second is the number of households situated on the same road; the lower the number, the higher the participation rate. In both cases, evidence of the measured correlation is presented, justifying their usefulness for planning. The multiple underlying factors causing the correlations are not identified here, but suggestions are made for further studies.

[1]  Marie K. Harder,et al.  Achieving recycling targets in the UK - practical examples from East and West Sussex , 2002 .

[2]  David H. Folz.  Municipal Recycling Performance: A Public Sector Environmental Success Story , 1999 .

[3]  M K Harder,et al.  The development of a UK kerbside scheme using known practice. , 2005, Journal of environmental management.

[4]  Caroline Oates,et al.  Reasons for non-participation in a kerbside recycling scheme , 2003 .

[5]  Marie K. Harder,et al.  The optimisation of household waste recycling centres for increased recycling—a case study in Sussex, UK , 2004 .

[6]  Richard Waite,et al.  Household Waste Recycling , 1995 .

[7]  F. A. Roddick,et al.  Relationships between set-out rate, participation rate and set-out quantity in recycling programs , 1997 .

[8]  Darren Perrin.  The Importance of Determining Factors Affecting Household Recycling Participation and Efficiency Levels , 2002 .

[9]  Jess W. Everett,et al.  Curbside Recycling in the U.S.a.: Convenience and Mandatory Participation , 1993 .

[10]  Rodney Turner,et al.  Green taxes, waste management and political economy , 1998 .

[11]  Marie K. Harder,et al.  Evaluating the performance of a fortnightly collection of household waste separated into compostables, recyclates and refuse in the south of England , 2001 .

[12]  Ian D. Williams,et al.  Green waste collection and the public's recycling behaviour in the borough of Wyre, England , 2003 .

[13]  Christine Thomas,et al.  PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND ITS EFFECT ON RECYCLING PERFORMANCE IN HAMPSHIRE AND MILTON KEYNES , 2001 .

[14]  Frank J. Sudol,et al.  Newark's curbside recycling program: A participation rate study , 1991 .

[15]  Adam D. Read,et al.  “A weekly doorstep recycling collection, I had no idea we could!”: Overcoming the local barriers to participation , 1999 .

[16]  Peter Tucker,et al.  Integrated effects of a reduction in collection frequency for a kerbside newspaper recycling scheme , 2001 .

[17]  Philip H. Byer,et al.  EFFECT OF DESIGN VARIABLES ON PARTICIPATION IN RESIDENTIAL CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAMS , 1997 .

[18]  Darren Perrin,et al.  Issues associated with transforming household attitudes and opinions into materials recovery: a review of two kerbside recycling schemes , 2001 .

[19]  Jess W. Everett,et al.  Measuring the success of recycling programs , 1992 .