The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has launched an initiative to deliver recycling communication workshops to local authorities across England, with the aim of boosting public engagement in packaging recycling.

WRAP, in partnership with soft drink manufacturer Coca Cola Enterprises (CCE), retail chain Sainsbury’s, the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) and the Local Government Association (LGA), will deliver a series of five regional workshops.

According to WRAP, the workshops, aimed at local authority officers and their communications contractors, will explore ‘cost effective’ ways of using communications to increase public participation in recycling, including suggestions on working with brands and retailers to engage the public, and using social media.

The first of these workshops will be hosted by CCE in Morpeth, Northumberland, on 10 October, with a further event hosted by CCE and Sainsbury’s in West Yorkshire on 31 October. Events in the West Midlands, East London and the South East region will be held in the new year.

Communicating with householders is ‘essential’

Speaking of the upcoming workshops, Head of Community Partnerships at WRAP, Louise Bowe, said: “Increasing packaging recycling is important to councils, brands and retailers. Communicating so householders have know-how and motivation to use services fully is essential, but we recognise budgets for communications these days is tighter than ever for us all.

“These practical one-day workshops will cover advice on cost-effective ways to engage householders to help increase recycling. We will be drawing on experience and insight in recycling communications from local authorities’ good practice coupled with useful insight from our national partners.”

Associate Director of Recycling at CCE, Nick Brown, added: “Local Authorities have done a great job in recent years to put in place services to collect recyclable materials from households, resulting in a huge increase in recycling rates. To make the most of these services, we want to work closer across the sector on communications to help householders use their local service and understand what happens to the materials.

“We know from our consumers that some have uncertainty about recycling, not helped by a lack of visible national campaign activity. To further accelerate recycling in this country, we all need to inspire householders to recycle more. Coca-Cola Enterprises are delighted to be a part of these workshops to hear from local authority practitioners how we can help and to swap ideas.”

Sainsbury’s Head of Engineering, Sustainability and Energy, Paul Crewe added the company was ‘delighted’ to be working with local authorities, the LGA and WRAP to help increase local recycling rates.

Places on the workshops will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Find out more about the WRAP workshops or find out more about how local authorities can tweak their marketing campaigns to get more people recycling.