Residents in Halton have significantly increased their recycling efforts, thanks to the Borough’s innovative recycling scheme – RecycleBank – which invited 10,000 households, in seven trial areas, to earn rewards for their recycling.

Early indications have shown that since the scheme started in October 2009, more residents have been recycling and generating an average of over 20% more recyclable waste per household. Phase 1 of the scheme is scheduled to end in April 2010 and Halton Borough councillors are set to meet in March to discuss the results of the trial and evaluate the possibility of running a borough wide version of the reward scheme.

Bringing economic benefits for residents and businesses alike, 50% of eligible households have activated their RecycleBank online rewards account and have started earning RecycleBank Points. Rewards from Kingsway Leisure Centre, Marks and Spencer and CineWorld have all been particularly popular.

The scheme has already earned participating residents over 2.8 million RecycleBank Points for redemption in the Borough’s shops, leisure facilities, and restaurants, bringing a much needed boost to the local economy where Points are being redeemed, as well as residents’ pockets.

Cllr Phil Harris, Executive Board member for recycling for Halton Borough Council says: “The voluntary, recycling rewards scheme has proved very popular and we are pleased to see so many residents making savings on everyday purchases and activities in the local area.

“All councils are coming under huge pressure to reduce waste dumped into landfill and we are clearly leading the way when it comes to providing an innovative scheme that rewards rather than punishes households. Research shows that since the scheme started, residents in the RecycleBank areas are recycling more frequently and recycling more waste per household.”

Raymond Connor, from Runcorn, has activated his RecycleBank account and has earned over 841 Points for recycling his recyclable materials. He commented; “We have really enjoyed using the scheme and would like to see it spread to other areas as some of our friends who don’t have it are rather envious”.

John Foulds, from Widnes, is also on the scheme and commented on the service. "I am very happy with this service and it has made recycling fun! Overall I think this is a really fun way to help the environment."

The RecycleBank initiative rewards residents with Points for the amount of recyclable material they put into their blue recycling bin. The Points can then be exchanged for money off goods and services at over 100 local and national shops, restaurants, leisure and entertainment facilities. Households have the opportunity to earn on average over £135 in rewards value in a typical year.

For more information visit: www.recyclebank.com.