Trial update phase 4 (up to 31st of October 2006)

Overall comments

Even though the reporting period covered the summer period when battery sales are at their lowest, all the partners continue to be pleased with the collection levels. Some partners who also collect batteries at their Household Waste Recycling Centres have seen increases at their sites. Some partners have even seen an increase in the amount of dry recyclables collected through kerbside schemes!

'The average collection weight per week dropped slightly over the holiday period and begun to rise again in September'

'Collections are steady and consistent with a recognised stream of regular customers'

'Overall the battery collection scheme has been met well by members of the public. This is an area which could and should be explored with a view to expanding the battery collection scheme'

'Quantity of batteries collected remains about the same as last reporting period'.

'Have now started to get a few more batteries at the Household Waste and Recycling Centres (bring sites)'

'All participating householders are very grateful for the scheme and are keen to use it. It has highlighted the kerbside recycling scheme and, as a consequence, householders seem more keen to recycle'

Tonnage Update

Crew feedback

Crews have reiterated that the collections are easy to operate and that the scheme has taken off better than expected.

'There have been no issues or problems with the collection logistics'

'The householders want to know what happens with batteries and what batteries we take ;both of which the crew answer easily'

'We have had no problems reported from the crew regarding these collections'

'This method of collection seems to be easy to operate'

Householder Feedback

Householders have been impressed with the battery schemes. Many have requested more bags and are glad that batteries are included as part of their recycling scheme.

The most common comment from people is they are glad that batteries have been added to the kerbside service.

Householders are saying that they are taking part in the scheme and saying how much of a good thing it is; this feedback has been gathered at recent summer events and also door to door canvasing.

Communication and marketing

PR activities have not been enhanced during this period. Some of the partners on their own initiative did door knocking campaign and put articles in their newsletter to promote the battery trials and very positive feedback was received from the householders. We are now sending on a 6 month press release for each partner.

'Our door knocking team promoted our kerbside service, including the battery trial'

'We put an article in our Borough Newspaper about the success of the scheme and asked residents to call if there were any problems. This way we managed to identify any properties that were missed for some reason. People have been surprisingly enthusiastic and see it as an important item to recycle'

Actions WRAP is taking

The following problems have been identified by the partners:

Size of bags

'Householders have been putting too many batteries in one bag'

'Householders are pleased to be part of the trial, however some feel the bags could be bigger'

WRAP's comments -The key thing here is the frequency of collection as the battery bags can be put out with every recycling collection. In addition, householders can request additional bags/boxes by calling the participating partner.

Bag redistribution

'It is felt that the bags should be available from other outlets rather than from the Council'

WRAP's comments - WRAP has been asking each partner on how they would like to make more bags available to the participating householders. Most of the partners either make them available on request (by posting them individually once the householder called their recycling helpline) but some are asking their crews to put an empty bag in kerbside boxes once one has been collected. Others have also place bags at their recycling centres

Sealing of the envelopes

'Fairly well, although non sealing of collection envelopes is still happening in many cases'

WRAP's comments - WRAP has modified the bags for the next production run making sure that the instructions are clearer and include wording on the peel-off strip.