Trial update phase 6

Overall Comments

There was anticipation in Phase 5 that there would be an increase in the battery’s collections following the Christmas period.  Four of the trial areas commented that there had been an increase in the amounts collected, this really only affected January and had dropped back to normal in February and March, which is not surprising taking national battery sales into account.

Some partners feel that this is a reflection of the time of year while others believe that it is just the project becoming more integrated into the general collection and recycling schemes run in the area. Households continue to ask for additional bags but seem to be using them more effectively than previously.

In one area the kerbside recycling scheme was set up after the general kerbside scheme and it is felt that this has had an effect on the number of people that participate in the scheme.

“... our kerbside scheme was already in place therefore the battery kerbside scheme has had to be retro-fitted with information and battery bags being distributed by mail shot, which may be one of the reasons that there has not been a huge up-take on the kerbside battery recycling scheme in the south area”

 “We are consistently collecting at 300 – 400% of what was expected for the trial”

“There are far more residents contributing to the trial than first anticipated”

Crew / Dept Feedback

Generally, all the feedback from the crews is positive and from this perspective, the scheme seems to be going well. There are still a few issues about households placing batteries in carrier bags or loose in their boxes. All the feedback on G&P is generally very positive and there seems to be no issues with this area.

“The collections have been running smoothly, residents within the trial area are extremely pleased to be part of the battery initiative”

“No problems have arisen in kerbside as the batteries have their own box and container”

“Other than the odd question asking if batteries can be put into carrier bags (which is OK) we have had no other feedback”

Depot Feedback

“The only suggestion we could make is that they wash out the containers before delivery”

“G&P have been extremely quick on the collection of full containers”

“An efficient service. no problems at all”

Household feedback

There seems to be a good deal of pride in the households that are participating in the trial areas and they seem to be pleased that they have this opportunity. There have been quite a few requests for additional bags. 

“We have a lot of calls from residents who want to participate but are not in the pilot areas.  They suggest extending the scheme to cover all residents”

“Have had several requests for additional battery bags but this is an ongoing request and in these instances the householder has been more than satisfied with the service provided – very happy to be able to recycle their batteries so no complaints”

“The residents that I have spoken to directly are very happy that they can participate in this trial.  We have also had people outside the trial wanting to participate.”

Communication and Marketing

Following the clearer instructions on the bags (following phase 5 comments), it is felt that people are not overfilling or under filling the bags as much as they used to, but this is still an issue in some areas.

A few of the areas said that they would like a more on-going press / advertisement campaign to keep the awareness of the scheme.  Some areas feel that if new people move to the area they don’t really understand the potential of the scheme.

“With the new battery bags now being issued we are starting to find a difference in the use.  People are not overfilling nor under filling the bags, or at least not as many as used to.  I think this was due to the new clearer instructions that are actually printed on the bag.”

“ We have a lot of calls from residents who want to participate but are not in the pilot area.  They suggest extending the scheme to cover all residents”

Concerns

The following problems have been identified by partners:

Loose Batteries

“We have found that some members of the public have been putting batteries into the kerbside box loose and this causes a little bit of inconvenience for the collection crews”

Bags

“ Bags with only 1 battery being out for collection (in terms of wastage of bags)”

“Some residents have been putting too many batteries in one bag which has caused some bags to split”

“Households are simply placing batteries into carrier bags for collections, which is the same method used for other materials collected” (this isn’t an issue with some trial areas)