A new competition, funded by the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) and focused on increasing household recycling practice through the novel use of persuasive technologies, has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in conjunction with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and NILGA.

SBRI provides the public sector with innovative solutions to problems that will drive improvement and allows suppliers to develop products and services working collaboratively with the public-sector, enabling them to develop new skills, expertise and markets. Launched in Northern Ireland in 2009, the programme supports diverse projects across the public sector.

In the past two years household recycling rates have plateaued and remain stubbornly below the levels needed to deliver on future challenging NI, UK and global targets.  Rates vary widely across Northern Ireland, but overall levels of waste generated are rising.  A successful solution will deliver one or more pilot initiatives in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council region, using different types of relevant Persuasive Technologies that can demonstrate change in the behaviour of households in relation to waste recycling.  The outcomes will be twofold:

  1. Increased volume of household recycling by encouraging/persuading a greater number of residents to be more active in this area; and,
  2. Increased quality of household recycling by encouraging/persuading residents to reduce contamination in recycling e.g. through better sorting of waste and by rinsing out empty containers.

This competition has a total budget of £125,000 (ex VAT) for SBRI Phase 1 work and It is anticipated that at least the 3 highest scoring bidders will be selected; each of the successful bidders will receive an amount in accordance with their bid, but subject to a maximum amount per bidder of £41,666 (ex VAT).

Competition Details

To find out more about the competition’s terms and conditions, or to submit an application, further information can be found via this link https://sdi.click/sbrinihhrecyclingph1

Briefing Event

A briefing event to complement to launch of this competition will be held online on Wednesday 18 October and is free to attend. You can find out more about the event and register by clicking here.

Further information: Go to the full advertisement