Resource London Ties Up with Peabody to Boost Recycling Rate in Flats

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Resource London has announced that it has entered into a partnership with Peabody Housing Association to identify barriers in recycling and boost recycling in purpose-built flats in dense urban areas. The innovative partnership will work towards improving recycling rates in existing and new flats in London.

According to official government data, purpose-built flats account for nearly 37% of the total residential accommodation in London. In some boroughs, flats make up almost 80% of the total accommodation. Recycling data suggests that recycling rate in flats is much less when compared with houses.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) under the government of UK notes that recycling rate in London had witnessed marginal improvement from 32% to 33% over the past year. However, the recycling rate is still low when compared with the overall recycling rate of nearly 44% in England. For instance, the borough of Newham has surprisingly low recycling rate of just around 14%. A positive change in recycling habits of those people living in flats could make a big difference in London recycling rates, which is the reason why flats are targeted as part of the program, said officials. Also, projections say that almost 46% of London households would be purpose-built flats by 2030.

The partnership, planned to run until 2020, will conduct extensive research on barriers faced by residents in flats, especially those in inner London boroughs. The recycling behaviors of residents will be closely watched and necessary practical interventions will be made. The various types of interventions will be monitored and studied to find out which of these has contributed to maximum increase in recycling rates over a period of time. The pilot would then be extended to other densely populated urban areas.

The new partnership is expected to boost recycling rates in London and thereby help the city in achieving the earlier set goal of 65% recycling by 2030.