Project Background
- To increase the amount of plastic recycled
- To reduce contamination of ‘paper and card’ and ‘cans, plastic & glass’ recycling streams
Despite previous recycling campaigns and engagement with national initiatives Preston City Council is experiencing a decline in recycling rate and increase in contamination. In 2021/22, 32.3% of household waste was sent for reuse, recycling, or composting. This figure dropped further to 30.7% in 2022/23. For comparison, the recycling rate for Lancashire in 2022/23 was 41.2%, while the UK average stood at 43.3%.
The campaign, delivered under the RECOUP Pledge2Recycle Plastics programme, ran from September to December 2024 combining billboards, street hubs, school and community engagement, leaflet deliveries to all households in the Preston area, a radio campaign, and a fresh suite of social media assets. It aimed to clarify what can and cannot be recycled, with a particular focus on plastics, a key area of confusion for many households.
Key achievements include:
- Total reach of over 265,000, covering all households in Preston.
- 13% decrease in contamination in plastic, glass, and can bins.
- 19% reduction in material rejections at sorting facilities.
- Leaflet and campaign materials designed with accessibility in mind, including input from local disability groups and multilingual residents.
- Engagement in priority wards, including Plungington, Deepdale and the City Centre, where housing types and language barriers present ongoing challenges.
Meet RECOUP
Founded in 1990, RECOUP is the UK’s leading independent authority and trusted voice on plastics resource efficiency and recycling.
As a registered charity, supported by a network of over 170 members, RECOUP aim to inspire collaboration by connecting the whole plastics value chain, lead the continued development of a plastic circular economy, resource efficiency, recycling and reuse and, educate the public and businesses on all aspects of plastics recycling and resource efficiency. Driving a more circular plastics system that protects the environment, underpinned by evidence and knowledge.
Learn more about RECOUP
Lead Consultant - Resource Efficiency & Circularity
Senior Consultant - Resource Efficiency & Circularity
Brand and Impact Manager
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Beyondly's Fund for Change
Beyondly have funded this project through our Fund for Change initiative, where we donate a portion of our profits to making a difference.
We run our Fund for Change programme annually, allowing us to support new charitable causes and community projects that deliver against our vision and purpose, to create positive impacts.
To be considered as one of our charities please complete our online form or email [email protected] if you have any questions. Applications open annually from 1st April - 31st July.
