Edinburgh calls on manufacturers to foot recycling bill

• 69% believe taxpayers currently fund recycling but 67% believe manufacturers should pay instead
• 82% of Edinburgh residents confident in how to recycle
• Standardised packaging and easier recycling system seen as motivators for future change
• COVID-19 pandemic has had positive impact on recycling attitudes

A new survey by UK recycling company Viridor has found that Edinburgh residents believe the taxpayer should not be footing the bill for recycling and that manufacturers should be responsible for costs.

In a YouGov poll of 1,000 EH postcode residents, Viridor’s annual Recycling Index found 69% believe that they are carrying the cost of recycling in the area, with a majority (67%) saying that manufacturers should really be paying instead.

Despite growing consumer concern about the environment, recycling knowledge and understanding among Edinburgh residents remain high with 82% confident they are disposing of their waste correctly.

Indeed, more than half of those surveyed (54%) believe confidence in recycling has increased thanks to information provided by local councils, government and business, with the same percentage believing their local council does all it can to make recycling simple to follow.

Similar to the 2019 Index however, more standardised packaging and recycling instructions (69%), coupled with an easier recycling system (52%), would be a major motivator to encourage more people to recycle their household waste. 

Reassuringly, the survey found that the increase in use and disposal of single-use products, for example face masks and plastic bottles, during the COVID-19 pandemic has not had a negative impact on attitudes to recycling, with more than half of those surveyed (55%) saying this makes it more important to find recycling solutions for all materials.

The 2020 Recycling Index also found that Edinburghers are ready to lead the charge with three quarters of those polled believing it is up to individuals to ensure their rubbish and waste is recycled.

However, the majority (85%) believe the council has a responsibility here, with three quarters also saying national government still has a key role to play in driving change. In addition, 87% believe non-recyclable waste should be used to create energy.

With an increasing focus on returning products to a circular economy and an increased use of recycled materials, the poll reveals around nine out of ten people would still buy their regular products if the packaging is updated to be more environmentally friendly, both in terms of material (87%) and coloured plastic (86%).

Sixty three per cent said they were more likely to purchase products made from recyclable packaging, however 44% of Edinburgh residents would not be prepared to pay any more money for these.

Labelling also remains a challenge with 39% of those surveyed admitting they still found current labelling on packaging confusing – representing a 6% increase on 2019’s survey. In spite of this however, 83% of Edinburgh residents say they do take notice of recycling information on product packaging.

The lack of uniformity in terms of recycling across different local councils continues to be recognised by consumers with only 29% of those surveyed believing recycling collections are consistent across the UK.

Viridor CEO Phil Piddington (above) said: “Viridor has been listening to consumer attitudes to recycling for five years and applying the lessons we’ve learnt to the way we run our business.

“Like Edinburgh residents, we think producers should bear the cost of recycling as not only is it important to take responsibility for everything we produce, this acts as a powerful motivating factor influencing product design.

“Viridor has always been very clear that the key to empowering the circular economy is ensuring that everything we produce is designed with recycling in mind. That’s why Viridor was a founding member of WRAP’s Plastic Pact, working with cross-sector partners to achieve the pact’s 2025 recyclability goals.”

Steven Don, Head of Local Authority Contracts Scotland, Viridor, said: “Our Recycling Index shows that the people of Edinburgh care about recycling and feel empowered to play their part.

“There is, however, always room for improvement, particularly in adapting recycling processes and ensuring information is as transparent as possible. We are making real progress in Scotland with Viridor currently working in partnership with more than 90% of Scottish councils to streamline services.

“Viridor has ambitious plans for Scotland’s circular economy which we shared earlier this summer. Our vision for a Scottish Circular Economy and Innovation Park will ensure the country is at the forefront of the green recovery.”