The business case for recycling communications has been laid out in a new report  reviewing the MetalMatters programme and demonstrating the power of voluntary industry backing. Figures are based upon data from campaigns that have run in 50 local authorities across the UK between 2012-2015, with the support of the metal packaging industry partnership.

The MetalMatters campaign has now reached over 3 million householders and has proved extremely cost-effective, raising metal capture rates at the kerbside and in so-doing generating revenue for local authority and waste management partners.

Key statistics from the report reveal a MetalMatters campaign:

• costs on average 27 pence per household
• increases recycling of metal packaging by around 18%
• delivers return on investment within a year, and sometimes as quickly as 4 months

“Since 2012, the MetalMatters programme has seen over £1 million invested by funding partners in the metal packaging industry. This is above and beyond their obligations under the Producer Responsibility (PRN) system,” said Rick Hindley, Executive Director of MetalMatters project managers, Alupro.

“The campaign has also attracted funding from sectors not included in the Producer Responsibility system (including household foil and closure manufacturers), because they see the value of working with the wider industry to promote the recyclability of metal packaging. Of course there is still scope to widen the funding base further and we’d encourage any brand or packaging producer to consider investing in MetalMatters.”

The new report, ‘The Business Case for Recycling Communications’ sets out the positive and lasting impact the campaign has on the recovery of metal packaging from the kerbside. As well as reducing disposal costs for local authorities, the increase in metal packaging recovery generates additional revenue and provides a long-lasting positive impact on household recycling behaviour.

Hindley added: “The MetalMatters campaign is an example of industry taking a uniquely proactive approach. Importantly, MetalMatters has won the support of policy makers by providing vital support for recycling schemes at a time when council budgets are being cut.

This shows what can be achieved from partnerships between commercial organisations, local authorities and their waste collection partners – and the results speak for themselves.”

With industry partners voluntarily providing support for MetalMatters, relatively small council investments can significantly increase metal packaging recovery. The campaign has now been run in over 50 council areas and recent results show impressive returns:

• London Borough of Lewisham (2014): 25p per household, 12% increase, ROI within 9 months.
• Shropshire Council (2014): 25p per household, 23% increase, ROI within 4 months.
• Glasgow City Council (2014): 30p per household, 18% increase, ROI within 10 months
• Bedford Council (2013): 33p per household, 19% increase, ROI within 9 months.

The voluntary scheme is part-funded by supply chain businesses in the metal packaging sector, delivering extended producer responsibility and excellent corporate social responsibility. It is a government-recognised, best practice example of industry working with local authorities to keep valuable materials in the loop.

Two leaflet drops, typically six weeks apart, inform and remind householders about what and how to recycle and explain what happens to metal packaging after it is collected. The communications materials are tailored to fit with existing local authority or waste partnership branded campaigns. Additional communications resources are available to reinforce the message via local channels and networks, including vehicle livery, displays, roadshow events and newspaper and radio advertising.

The availability of tried and tested campaign materials is a key element in the cost-effectiveness of the campaign, and gives campaign partners additional reassurance that the campaign messages will generate lasting results.

Glasgow City Council’s Recycling Manager Scott Armstrong says: “The leaflets have obviously been successful elsewhere and benefitted other local authorities so we were confident that the messages were tried and tested. We are still featuring MetalMatters messaging on the council website and collection vehicles, and hope that will encourage the public to keep recycling more metals.”

The MetalMatters campaign has been proven to work in urban and rural areas, and with all types of recycling scheme. It can be delivered in a single local authority, to targeted groups, or across a waste partnership area.

For more details about the MetalMatters campaign please visit www.metalmatters.org.uk, call 01527 597757 or email metalmatters@alupro.org.uk