Every Can Counts helps retail sector

Every Can Counts has released research demonstrating how the retail sector can prepare for the new Waste (England and Wales) Regulations, which will be introduced on 1 January 2015.

The research shows that implementing Every Can Counts has helped to ensure that over 80% of waste is recycled by participating shopping centres, with retailers setting their own long term waste objectives to ensure that staff recycle daily.

12 shopping centres throughout the UK are registered with Every Can Counts and the programme is working closely with centre management and retail tenants to educate almost 14,000 staff and 110 million shoppers about the importance of recycling drinks cans whilst at work and when on-the-go.

The new Waste Regulations mean that businesses, including shopping centres and retail outlets in England and Wales, will be required to separate waste paper, metal, plastic and glass for collection. Every Can Counts is helping centres to ensure that drinks cans are collected as part of their wider responsibility for recycling.

Neil Grice, operations manager at participating centre Freshney Place in Grimsby (UK), said: “Our aims for our recycling programme are simple: we want to maximise everything we do to improve both our environmental impact and reap financial rewards. As a result, we are constantly striving to improve our facilities and not only are we driving recycling heavily, we also actively encourage the reusing of materials.”

Rick Hindley, executive director of Every Can Counts, said: “The introduction of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations next year means that it is more important than ever for businesses to consider their recycling policies in order to achieve zero waste targets.

“By offering insight and advice, along with free supporting communication materials to create highly visible recycling points, we are working with shopping centres to improve recycling facilities, infrastructure, and education, ensuring that retailers and staff are well placed to comply with the new legislation.”