Can consumer education increase recycling rates?

VANCOUVER (Scrap Monster): By educating consumers on the how-tos of PE film recycling, a WRAP campaign helps increase the recycling rate in Vancouver, WA, by 125%.

A Wrap Recycling Action Program (WRAP) campaign in Vancouver, WA, has helped to more than double collection of plastic film wraps and bags through return-to-retail recycling programs, according to a new case study conducted with the City of Vancouver’s Environmental Resources Division. Notably, the report also found a 75% decrease in plastic bag contamination at a local municipal recycling facility (MRF) by residents who had received regional educational outreach materials.

The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG) partnered with The City of Vancouver, Clark County, Safeway, and the Trex Company to implement this program known as “Recycle Wrap/Beyond Bags.” The campaign sought to increase consumer awareness and recycling of many types of flexible polyethylene film packaging in select Vancouver-area Safeway stores, while decreasing unwanted plastic bags/film placed in curbside carts.

Key outcomes:

• A 125% increase in the amount of plastic wraps, films, and bags collected at stores

• Of that, a 500% increase in collection of consumer product packaging—beyond bags (e.g., case wrap, product wrap, bread bags, produce bags, etc.) at stores

• A 75% reduction in plastic bag contamination at a local MRF by customers who received campaign outreach materials

• An insignificant (less than 2%) increase in contamination at stores

Courtesy: www.greenerpackage.com