Cutting the frequency of general waste collections encourages people to recycle more, according to new research — a finding that could reshape how councils approach waste policy.
A study by Concordia University in Quebec analysed 297 council districts across England and Wales and found that less frequent rubbish collections, combined with reliable recycling and food waste services, correlated with higher recycling rates.
Researchers say the logic is straightforward: when households have to hold on to general waste for longer, they are motivated to divert more into recycling and composting to reduce the burden.
Crucially, the study also found that asking residents to pre-sort their recyclables did not put them off engaging — suggesting the assumed convenience of a single recycling bin may be a red herring.
The findings come as England’s average recycling rate sits at 44%, well behind Wales at 57%, and as the UK rolls out its Simpler Recycling programme to standardise collections nationwide.
Photo: Recycling bins © Antoni M Lubek / Shutterstock.com.
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