Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the South West now have the benefit of their own recycling adviser from WRAP’s (Waste & Resources Action Programme) Recycle at Work Advisory Programme.

David Rodgers, has been appointed to the new post of Recycle at Work Adviser for the South West.

He will provide one-to-one support to SMEs to help them recycle more materials by finding appropriate local recycling services, assessing what can be recycled, developing in-house recycling schemes and providing training to encourage staff to use them.

Covering the whole region from Gloucestershire to Cornwall including Bristol and Avon, David will also work with local recycling service providers to help get additional services into new areas, making it easier and more convenient for SMEs in the South West to recycle their waste.

A former recycling officer for North Devon District Council, David was responsible for the analysis and preparation of information on the council’s recycling performance targets, developing communication programmes and guidance literature, liaising with contractors and purchasing new equipment, preparation of tenders and providing educational support and advice to councillors and the public.

 “Our aim is to be a one-stop shop for SME’s who want to start recycling at work or recycle more things.  We are developing an on-line searchable database of recycling service providers and providing support to SMEs to help them through the process, advising what can be recycled and how best to store and segregate materials for recycling,” said David.

“In addition, we can provide on-site training that suits the needs of their specific business.  We are particularly keen to hear from SMEs who want to recycle their office and packaging waste, and from pubs, clubs and hotels.”

The Recycle at Work Advisers, funded by WRAP’s English Regions Programme, support the national SME Recycling Programme, which aims to encourage SMEs to recycle their waste by developing convenient and cost effective recycling services and make it easier for them to recycle.

Sarah Downes, WRAP’s manager English regions, said: “Many SMEs want to recycle their waste but find it difficult to access appropriate recycling services because they think it is more costly and time consuming and they lack information and internal human resource to get started - this means good recyclable materials are going to landfill.

“Recycle at Work Advisers can offer practical support to SMEs to increase and improve recycling in their business as well as raising awareness of the environmental and cost benefits.”

For further information or advice on recycling at work, contact David Rodgers on Tel: 07809 091 484 or David.rodgers@wrap.org.uk.

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