Recycling project a shining example

Reporter: BEATRIZ AYALA
Date online: 22 February 2010

AN OLDHAM Council scheme is being used as a national example of how the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) population can be encouraged to recycle more waste.

Following a council-run awareness campaign, the number of people recycling within BME communities has risen from 31 per cent to nearly 74 per cent — an increase of more than 40 per cent.

Now the successful campaign is being championed by a Government funded recycling programme as best practice for local authorities.

Just three years ago, Oldham was bottom of the Greater Manchester recycling league, made up of all 10 local authorities. After revising its collection system, Oldham rose to third spot but recycling levels among the borough’s 11,000 BME households was only at 31.2 per cent.

The council decided to design a campaign using guidance and support from WRAP, the Government funded Waste and Resources Action Programme.

This included appointing a community delivery team; the appointment of multi-lingual canvassers; meeting Imams from Oldham Mosque and holding a presentation about the new services; using bin stickers in different languages and with pictures on to show residents what they could and could not put in their bins.

As a result, recycling among the BME community leapt to 73.8 per cent.

Emma Marsh, local communications advisor for WRAP, said: “The impressive increases in recycling performance at Oldham show that, if time and consideration is given to developing the right kind of communications campaign for particular communities, local authorities can reap the benefits.

“WRAP can offer dedicated support to local authorities looking for the most effective and proven ways to reach areas with low participation.”

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “We have made huge improvements in our approach to recycling and we have made sure we tailor our messages and approaches to meet local needs.

“Oldham has a large and diverse BME population so any schemes that help people in those communities, along with the other neighbourhoods across the borough, to recycle and improve the environment can only be welcomed.”