#InTheLoop brings on-street recycling to Edinburgh for first time

Following on from the pioneering success of #LeedsByExample in 2018, which saw on-the-go recycling rates in Leeds increase from 17% to 32% in just six months, and the subsequent launch of Swansea #InTheLoop this year, on-the-go recycling is set to be dramatically improved in Edinburgh from today. This is all thanks to the 'Our Edinburgh #InTheLoop' initiative part-funded by Ecosurety and launched by Hubbub and The City of Edinburgh Council.

Bubble-blowing bins and an eye-catching art installation in Edinburgh City Centre herald the start of a five month trial that will enable people passing through the city centre to recycle plastic packaging, cans and coffee cups on the street for the first time.

Captivate members of the public

The fact that Edinburgh had not previously collected recyclable materials on-the-go is not unusual, as recent research from RECOUP revealed that only 42% of local authorities provide on-the-go recycling. This helps to explain why whilst recycling at home and kerbside collections have improved over the years, the rate of recycling while out and about is still low. In the UK around 5.5 billion plastic bottles, 2.7 billion drinks cans and 2.5 billion coffee cups get thrown away every year.

Two Scotland-based artists Sam Cornwell and Cody Lukas have created an innovative geometric installation, which will display plastic bottles, drinks cans and coffee cups to demonstrate the value of these materials. It will use solar panels to glow up at night to captivate members of the public and further raise awareness of the issue.

UK's biggest collaborative approach

Local partners supporting Our Edinburgh #InTheLoop include The City of Edinburgh Council, Changeworks, Waverley Mall, Essential Edinburgh BID and Scotwaste. 

The initiative – which is the UK’s biggest collaborative approach to boost recycling on-the-go – is being backed by Starbucks, Ecosurety, Asda, Bunzl, Caffè Nero, Coca-Cola GB, Costa Coffee, Danone (owners of the evian and Volvic brands), Highland Spring Group, Innocent Drinks, Lucozade Ribena Suntory, Marks & Spencer, McDonald’s, Nestlé and Pret a Manger.

Demonstrate what can be achieved

Jon Brookes, head of partnerships at Ecosurety, commented "The momentum of this collaborative campaign to improve on-the-go recycling continues to yet another part of the UK."

"The collaboration between all the stakeholders involved serves to demonstrate what can be achieved with this proactive approach and the need to work together to solve the problems we face today.' 

Alex Robinson from Hubbub commented “For the first time, the people of Edinburgh will be able to recycle whilst on the move. The impact our pilot campaign had on the city of Leeds far surpassed our expectations and with the support of the local community, we hope Edinburgh will do the same."

"We’re urging people working, living or visiting Edinburgh New Town to use the new-look bins and help us ensure that as much valuable packaging is recycled as possible. We also look forward to launching coffee cup recycling facilities in the city in the near future.” 

Committed to increasing recycling rates

Transport and Environment Convenor for The City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Lesley Macinnes, commented “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Hubbub on this project, which will help us to explore ways of encouraging recycling on the go and plan for the future impact of the Deposit Return Scheme."  

“As a Council we are committed to increasing recycling rates amongst residents and visitors, and as we’ve seen from previous work with Hubbub, their innovative approach to behaviour change has made a real impact on the public.”

If you would like to find out more about how to get involved in Our Edinburgh #InTheLoop, please contact us.

 

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