Big BID Recycle – a collaborative approach to recycling for small and medium-sized enterprises

Case Study: Big BID Recycle

Clacksfirst and Alloa Town Centre Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), in partnership with ACE Recycling, embarked on a pilot recycling project with funding from Zero Waste Scotland. The goal was to acquaint BID members with the forthcoming change to waste regulations and redirect recyclables from landfill.

Background

Clacksfirst and Alloa Town Centre Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), with the assistance of Zero Waste Scotland funding, undertook a joint project, the Big BID Recycle, with the key aim of providing a cost-effective recycling service for their levy payers while also allowing them to comply with the forthcoming Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012.

A BID is a business-led initiative, supported by legislation, whereby businesses work together in partnership and invest collectively in local improvements to their business environment. Clacksfirst BID covers 10 business parks throughout Clackmannanshire: Alloa Business Park, Alloa West, Alva Industrial Area, Barn Park Business Park, Cooperage Way Business Village, Dumyat Business Park, Midtown Business Park, Riverbank Industrial Area, The Trade Centre and The Whins. Alloa Town Centre BID represents all businesses located within the Alloa Town Centre area.

Methodology

In order to launch the project, convey information on the regulation changes and build momentum towards business recruitment, the BIDs implemented a number of marketing initiatives including face-to-face visits, media communications, mail shots and branding.

To determine the need for the Big BID Recycle and to accurately forecast potential demand for the project, they undertook a process of quantitative and qualitative research with BID members. Zero Waste Scotland funding enabled the BIDs to employ a dedicated member of staff who visited approximately 400 businesses within both BID areas. This personalised service resulted in 200 waste management surveys being completed.

Based on the results of the pre-collection survey, ACE Recycling provided a tailored waste collection service for the interested parties in both Clacksfirst BID and Alloa Town Centre BID, at no additional cost to BID members. This included the separate collection of cardboard, paper, plastic and cans. In order to assess the impacts of the Big BID Recycle project, the project lead travelled with the collection vehicle to closely monitor and record the level of recyclable materials collected and check it against the records of the collectors.

Successes

This collaborative approach to waste collection service procurement helped to implement a coordinated, consistent service successfully across both BID areas for over 80 businesses. This service resulted in approximately 57 tonnes of waste being diverted from landfill from July 2012 to March 2013. Materials recycled included:

• 38.8 tonnes of cardboard;

• 13.8 tonnes of paper;

• 2.8 tonnes of plastic; and

• 2 tonnes of cans.

Another achievement, besides the diversion from landfill, was engaging over 400 businesses through a wide range of marketing and communications activities. This ensured that the BID members knew about the forthcoming regulatory requirements.

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Case Study: Big BID Recycle

Project legacy

Clacksfirst BID included the continuation of the project within its business plan for 2013–2018, which BID members voted on and successfully supported. Alloa Town Centre BID has committed itself to continuing with the project and including it within its business plan; members are to vote on renewing it.

Both BIDs are committed to continuing the Big BID Recycle and to working with Zero Waste Scotland in whatever way possible to build awareness of the importance to businesses of separating and recycling their waste.

Testimonials

While we, as a business, endeavour to recycle what should be recycled, the Big BID Recycle project has been a huge success in helping and advising our tenants to separate their materials and reduce what is collectively being sent to landfill.Eva GardinerCeteris (Scotland) Ltd, Clackmannanshire

As a supplier of high-efficiency electronics, our green credentials are at the core of our business. While we try to reduce the amount of waste packaging we use, it is, however, unfortunately unavoidable to produce a limited amount of recyclable refuse. The Big BID Recycle programme

not only allows us to reduce our environmental impact, but has also become a significant part of our operating routine; to have access to the service is vital to our operations here in Clackmannanshire. This service is a genuine benefit to our organisation and is one of the main reasons we will continue to recommend Clackmannanshire to businesses across the world.Joe CliffordTrading Hub Global, Clackmannanshire

Thomas Cook regularly uses the collection, which has reduced the amount of waste currently being put in our council bin. Previously, this would overflow on a regular basis, but now it is less than half full. The weekly e-mail reminder to put our bags out is a great help.Sharon SelbieThomas Cook, Alloa Town Centre

The Big BID Recycle is saving Subway from putting its waste materials into its landfill bin. I am also pleased that Frank Robertson [Project Lead, Big BID] has brought us up to date with the forthcoming changes in the waste regulations.Lyndsey McKenzieSubway, Alloa Town Centre