The campaign, delivered under the RECOUP Pledge2Recycle Plastics programme, ran from September to December 2024 combining billboards, street hubs, school and community engagement, leaflet deliveries to all households in the Preston area, a radio campaign, and a fresh suite of social media assets. It aimed to clarify what can and cannot be recycled, with a particular focus on plastics, a key area of confusion for many households.
Preston City Council saw an 11 tonne increase in plastic, glass and cans collected in 2024/25 in comparison to 2023/24. The city also recorded fewer crew-reported contaminants such as general rubbish and plastic bags in recycling bins, an encouraging sign that consistent messaging is paying off.
Key achievements include:
- Total reach of over 265,000, covering all households in Preston.
- 13% decrease in contamination in plastic, glass, and can bins.
- 19% reduction in material rejections at sorting facilities.
- Leaflet and campaign materials designed with accessibility in mind, including input from local disability groups and multilingual residents.
- Engagement in priority wards, including Plungington, Deepdale and the City Centre, where housing types and language barriers present ongoing challenges.
