Drinks can recycling programme Every Can Counts has announced that it helped over 330 Scottish organisations ‘recycle more and become recycling compliant in 2013’, ahead of the introduction of Scotland’s new waste laws.

The Waste (Scotland) Regulations, which came into force on 1 January this year, requires Scottish businesses to separate all of their waste – including metals – for recycling.

Supported by Zero Waste Scotland and soft drinks manufacturer A.G. Barr plc, the programme was launched by Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead in November 2012 to increase the amount of drinks cans recycled.

It has now announced that over the year, it advised 332 Scottish organisations across 353 separate sites on how to set up and promote metal can recycling schemes.

Averaging a sign up a day

Andrew McFarlan of Every Can Counts, said: "The response we’ve had from organisations across Scotland has surpassed our expectations, and it’s really satisfying to see the positive level of interest and support for the programme so far. We’re urging more businesses to take advantage of the free services on offer to ensure they’re meeting the new regulations.

"We all know that recycling makes sense – it cuts down waste, saves energy and natural resources.

By recycling more, businesses and local authorities can significantly reduce their impact on the environment and Scotland can take a major step towards achieving its zero waste ambitions."

Jonathan Kemp, Commercial Director for A.G. Barr PLC, commented: "We’re pleased with the results of the Every Can Counts programme in Year 1 – we are averaging a new site signing up to the scheme every single day – which means we are helping more people recycle at work than ever before.

“With the requirement on businesses in Scotland to present all of their dry recyclables for separate collection as of the 1stJanuary, we expect that the Every Can Counts programme will go from strength to strength in Year 2."

The Director of Zero Waste Scotland (and winner of Resource’s Hot 100 list for 2013), Iain Gulland, also welcomed the announcement, saying: "Ensuring that businesses are informed about the new regulatory requirements for recycling, are compliant and reap the associated benefits, is a key focus for us…

"Under the Waste (Scotland) Regulations, all businesses and organisations in Scotland must separate their waste metal, as well as waste plastic, glass, paper, card, and in some cases food, for recycling, and Every Can Counts is a perfect complement to that. Increasing our drinks can recycling rates holds both environmental and economic benefits, and it’s great to support the recycling industry in driving this forward."

Recycling on the go

As well as its advice programme, Every Can Counts is also currently operating a six-month trial ‘to help make it easier for the public to recycle their drinks cans on the go’ in Scotland.

Can crushers branded with the Every Can Counts logo, have been implemented at seven sites across Scotland to not only remind people to recycle their metal cans whilst away from home, but also increase the amount of metal collected.

Every Can Counts is funded by the drinks can manufacturing and recycling industry and major drinks brands.

Find out more about Every Can Counts or Scotland’s new waste regulations.