Camberley Recycling Project
The Mall Shopping Centre Cardboard recycling
facilities - service area 1
Remade South East on behalf of Surrey County Council undertook research, primarily a survey of local businesses, to discover the waste management and recycling practices in the Town Centre of Camberley. The town centre consists of a high street and two shopping centres; the Mall Shopping Centre and the Atrium Shopping Centre. The objective of the project was to produce a recommendation report to improve recycling within the town.
A survey was conducted in June 2008 to identified the main waste streams produced by businesses, the volume/tonnage of waste produced, the companies that carry out general waste and recyclables collections in the area and if any businesses used domestic disposal/recycling routes for their waste.
Information from 120 of the estimated 274 businesses within the town centre was collected and analysed. The research highlighted that there was an estimated 9,040 tonnes of waste being generated by businesses with cardboard, paper and plastic bottles being the main materials produced. 69.5% of businesses surveyed stated they recycled at least one material; with cardboard, paper and plastic bottles receiving recycling rates of 60.5%, 32.5% and 17% respectively. Other materials generated but rarely recycled included glass, plastic bottles, cans, plastic bags and food waste.
The High Street
The research also indicated that the main barriers to recycling were the perceived cost implications, time consumption, expected low staff participation and low space available for waste storage. Attitudes to recycling therefore varied between businesses, although generally businesses were prepared to segregate materials and recycle but weren't prepared to pay costs for collections.
The report recommendations stated that any recycling scheme that was introduced would need to be flexible, reasonably priced and easy to use. Proposals based on the results of the survey included the creation of a business consortium, streamlining the waste management companies and the introduction of recycling options for the highly generated materials; all of which should simplify the management, reduce costs and thus increase recycling within Camberley Town Centre.
To download the full report, please click here.
Download the full report
Coloured waste bins in service area
Coloured waste bins in service area
