A NEW report by WRAP has found that factors within council authority control, such as bin sizes and food waste collections, account for the biggest variations in recycling rates, explaining up to 65% of the variation in recycling rates between councils.
Food waste collections were found to be an indicator of higher recycling rates, with those councils collecting food waste achieving better recycling rates. Conversely, larger waste bins and greater residual waste capacity reduced recycling, leading to rates that were up to 7% lower.
The study found little difference in recycling rates between co-mingled, two stream or multi-stream in dry recycling operations.
The new report aims to give local authorities and waste management companies insight into what elements impact on recycling rates so they devise the most effective waste strategy.
