In this ground-breaking paper, the current state of incentivisation based on reward schemes and LETSystems was discussed in order to define RECREDS, the new incentive scheme developed by Common Resource Ltd. to address and resolve weaknesses in kerbside recycling collections. The need to include incentive schemes in recycling developments was demonstrated from case studies, and the future use of RECREDS in a pilot kerbside recycling service in East London estates was discussed.

In the paper, Common Resource defined and developed RECREDS, as a new incentive scheme based on Reward points and the LETS accounting methodology. The need to use reward schemes appears to be of critical importance for the delivery of successful kerbside recycling services in inner-city areas. The RECREDS scheme was partly used for the first time in a pilot estate recycling service and achieved high rates of participation.

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For details of the RECREDS Design Team click here .

Objectives

How it works

Presentations

Papers

Current trials

Future developments

The primary objectives of the RECREDS project include:

• To increase the proportion of waste that is recycled

• To reduce cost of waste collection

• To reduce contamination in recyclates

• To provide a community-based, scalable intervention

• To address the issue of low-participation, high-contamination in flatted properties, especially on social housing estates

Secondary objectives include:

• To reduce volume of waste produced by consumers

• To reduce the amount of waste going to landfill

How it works

RECREDS incentivises consumers to recycle their waste by providing credits/points based on weights of materials that are declared for recycling.

Consumers transport their waste to a local recycling point where it can be exchanged for credits/points. This results in less materials for collection and less costs of collection.

RECREDS encourages consumers to separate waste and dispose of with thought, resulting in less waste that is contaminated and more available to recycle. The system influences and educates consumer behaviour [including changes in shopping habits, food usage etc] so that less waste is produced per person.

The system works best at a local level, and encourages responsibility and participation. RECREDS has been designed to be extended to wider areas as footprint and participation is extended.

In summary:

• Residents receive a credit from RECREDS for their recycled items.

• Residents present their credits to merchants in the scheme as payment/exchange for goods/services.

• The merchant presents volume of credits to RECREDS for reconciliation / trade for items as per agreement with RECREDS

• RECREDS receives payments for the batches of Metals, Glass etc from the local Scrap Yards

Presentations (sent separately, please contact us for details)

Papers (sent separately, please contact us for details)

Current trials

To test enhancements to the RECREDS model, during July 2011 a trial is taking place on a large social housing estate in Hackney. Residents currently have to take their recyclable materials to 1100L recycling bins, dotted around the estate. Many residents are infirm, and many face physical and social barriers getting to the recycling bins such as lifts, fire doors, entry phone systems, weather conditions, fear of mugging etc.

The trial provides a new channel to residents where there is the option to take recyclable materials to a RECREDS Point for re-cycling. The RECREDS Point operates nearby to a popular Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Food Co-op. Items are weighed and a till receipt with the value of the materials given to the recycler.

The till receipt can then be used at the Food Co-op as part payment for products.

The Food Co-op will present their till credits to RECREDS for reconciliation / trade for items as per agreement with the RECREDS organisers.

RECREDS staff sort through the materials received and dispose via:

• Local recycling facilities

• Local branch of Freecycle

• Local charity shop

• Local scrap yard where they receive payment.

Future developments -  December 2011

• There is a long term objective for RECREDS to be extended to community collection bins using mobile and chip technology. Blocks of flats could be rewarded in RECREDS in proportion to the weight of recyclables collected.

• Till receipts for the credits could be credited to community currency electronic accounts such as those used by the Brixton Pound, Lewes Pound, local Time Banks or LETS schemes, and used as part-payment in the local economy

• Community currency electronic accounts could provide other methods such as mobile telephony to transfer credits. This will be dependent upon relationships made with software suppliers in this field.

• Residents may also to store their till receipts and spend once a higher value is obtained or immediately trade in at the food co-op on the same day

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