A project exploring the viability of different Front of Store Recycling (FOSR) and reverse vending technologies in England is being funded by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) to assess the recycling potential of the retail forecourt.

By working in partnership with a number of supermarket chains, local authorities, waste management companies and technology vendors, WRAP will assess the impact that FOSR units at selected retail sites in England have on household waste recycling rates. The £1.2 million project began in March this year, and will be completed by April 2006. At present the selected trial sites are in the South East of England and Greater London areas but, if successful, these could potentially be rolled out across the country.

Contracts have been awarded to Sainsbury‘‘s and Tesco to install, manage and carry out research on two different technological approaches to FOSR. Each retailer will introduce their technology at six of their stores with the help of Valpak and TOMRA respectively. Tesco will carry out their research at stores in Hampshire and surrounding counties, whilst Sainsbury‘‘s will operate at sites in Greater London.

As well as the £1.2 million awarded by WRAP, Sainsbury‘‘s, Tesco and TOMRA have all supplied resources in the form of either in-kind support or matched-level funding.

The research will assess a number of innovative and improved FOSR techniques including the use of new technology, improved facilities, and financial incentives which could be community or personal incentives. The results will help WRAP to establish how effective these different approaches could be in boosting local recycling rates and attracting new people to recycling. It is expected that all packaging materials, such as paper, glass, cans, plastic and, in some instances, liquid cartons will be collected. The research will also provide information on the economics of collection from FOSR and any possible impact on local council collection schemes.

In addition, to gauge consumer opinion, an independent consumer survey and communications initiative will run in parallel to the FOSR trials. The consumer research aims to provide a good understanding of what consumers and store staff think of recycling at supermarkets and will take place in three stages. The first phase will find out what people think of their existing recycling facilities, how often they use them and then what incentives they would like to be offered. The next two phases will then find out what they think of their new recycling facilities and if the incentives have encouraged them to recycle more