David Cameron has endorsed an initiative that has just been launched by Windsor and Maidenhead Council encouraging recyclers by offering them discounts at local and national businesses. The Recyclebank scheme – which is the first in the UK – will enable those who join to have their recycling exchanged for points, redeemable from 50 over companies including M&S.
Residents who sign up will have their recycling wheelie bins weighed; the heavier loads will accumulate more points. Points can then be redeemed from partner companies using the Recyclebank website.
The move to encourage recycling via incentives is in sharp contrast to authorities that have threatened to fine people who do not recycle. It is thought that a number of Conservative authorities will follow the
Royal Borough’s move.
Conservative leader David Cameron says:
“I applaud the Conservative councillors in Windsor and Maidenhead for launching Britain’s first ‘paying the public to recycle’ scheme. Thanks to this scheme, Windsor residents will be getting paid for their recycling, rather than being hit with Labour’s fines and fortnightly collections. This is a great example of how Conservative councils are helping to look after the environment and also deliver a better deal for taxpayers.”
Cllr David Burbage, Leader of the Council, says:
“We don’t believe it’s right to bully people into recycling, we want to encourage our residents to get involved. This scheme will help families save money on their weekly shopping whilst also saving the Council Taxpayers a fortune by reducing our need to send waste to landfill. We’re delighted that M&S has decided to join the scheme and we believe that in the future this scheme will be rolled out right across the country.”
