Problem
In 2023, Neath Port Talbot Council encountered a significant challenge: its recycling rate had stagnated at 66% for the 2021/22 period. Despite previous efforts, progress had plateaued, highlighting the need for innovative initiatives to boost recycling participation and reduce non-recyclable waste.
To tackle this, the Council approved a comprehensive new Waste Strategy designed to rejuvenate community engagement and promote better recycling practices. A central element of this strategy was the education of younger generations to instil long-term sustainability habits. To drive the programme forward, a dedicated Recycling Officer was appointed, tasked with embedding environmental awareness and driving behaviour change among students and their families.
Solution
To bring this vision to life, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Recycling Officer collaborated with five existing Recycling Awareness and Compliance Officers to form the Waste Projects and Community Engagement Team. Together, they developed and implemented a comprehensive Schools Education Programme to enhance understanding of the importance of recycling and provide effective guidance. The programme includes various engaging educational options tailored to different age groups and needs:
- Primary school talks: Interactive presentations, activities, and videos were designed for primary school pupils, delivered in assemblies or classrooms. Topics covered waste’s impact on the environment, recycling guidelines, and the journey of recycling and non-recyclable waste after collection. Tailored sessions – including Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; Plastic Pollution; and Food Waste – provided more in-depth explorations of key themes. Pupils received a free ‘Green Bob’ drawstring bag with recycling-themed goodies.
- The Recycling Electric Vehicle (TrEV) visits: TrEV visits brought recycling education to life by allowing students to explore the compartments of recycling vehicles and learn how their contents is collected.
- Waste Transfer Station school visits: Classes of up to 35 students participated in a range of hands-on educational activities. These include sorting waste using a replica material recovery line, photo opportunities with the TrEV selfie board, creating personalised ‘Green Bob’ bags, and completing activity packs. Students were also able to observe the recycling process from the safety of a viewing platform, with assisted technology to ensure they didn’t miss any details, such as close-ups of the sorting and baling machinery.
- Education recycling trailer: A repurposed exhibition unit was transformed into an engaging trailer, which featured educational videos, activities for children, information on the impact of waste, recycling guidelines, and free recycling equipment for residents.
- Targeted engagement: As part of the Enhance Community Engagement Programme, the Council targeted a low-performing area of 3,500 properties, conducting surveys before and after community events to monitor impact.
Impact
Early results indicate that this new community engagement school education programme has already contributed to improved recycling rates and has promoted greater community awareness. Key results include:
- Increased recycling rates: By spring 2024, Neath Port Talbot Council’s recycling rate had increased to an impressive 68%, demonstrating early success in engaging residents and improving waste separation.
- Enhanced community engagement: The programme has strengthened public understanding of recycling and waste reduction, fostering more sustainable recycling behaviours among residents. The visits from the Recycling Officer were well-received by school children and made a significant impression on them.
- Greater public participation: There was a notable increase in participation amongst residents of the targeted low-performing area.
Neath Port Talbot Council’s proactive approach to address stalling recycling rates through education and engagement is already yielding positive results. By empowering young residents, the Council is fostering a culture of sustainability within the community that will support continued improvements in recycling participation and long-term waste reduction.