Local authorities could be missing out on millions in savings, says WRAP chairman at waste conference
16 June 2010
In a major speech to the FutuResource conference in London, Mr Stone outlined the latest challenges to the waste management sector and described fast-changing developments which the waste management industry – and WRAP – will need to respond to.
He said foremost among the challenges and opportunities was the new coalition government’s emphasis on “localism” and the major review of waste policy in England just announced by Secretary of State for the Environment, Caroline Spelman.
Mr Stone said other challenges included tougher EU legislation, a move by all UK national governments towards zero waste - with ambitious recycling targets, and the possibility of global markets demanding higher quality in materials being exported.
Citing an example of how partnerships can deliver great financial benefits, Mr Stone described how Hertfordshire local authorities had formed a consortium to increase revenue from the materials they collect, and are now expecting an additional £500,000 a year as a result.
Mr Stone said by far the most pressing issue was the financial squeeze on budgets and funding. In a cash-strapped landscape where we are all being asked to do more with less, Mr Stone said effective partnership working enables sharing of resources and economies of scale. “We at WRAP”, he said, “will put greater emphasis on working through partnerships, empowering change and triggering change.”
Mr Stone said this would shape the way WRAP works. “Our model is to use our expertise and our sector knowledge to act as a catalyst for change and for new initiatives. He said many of these initiatives had already saved money for local authorities.
He then said “The success of the Courtauld Commitment has delivered an estimated 500,000 tonnes less packaging, resulting in local authorities avoiding £35 million in disposal and other costs. That’s a very significant figure.”
He continued: “We have demonstrated through trials that the best way of collecting food waste is separately, at the kerbside. As a result, around 1.6m households are now receiving this service with more to come. These services will collectively divert around 140,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill, which represents avoided disposal costs of around £10m per year.”
WRAP’s research shows 90% of people now understand the benefits of recycling, and yet the national recycling rate is still below 40%.
Commenting on the gap, Mr Stone said a critical partnership for local authorities was with their local residents. He called on Local Authorities to sign up to WRAP’s and the LGA’s Waste Collection Commitment designed to make it easier for people to reduce waste, recycle and make a difference through recycling.
“More than 65 collection authorities have signed up,” said Mr Stone, “that is an encouraging start. However, I see absolutely no reason why all authorities should not make this commitment. I invite you to do just that.”
“WRAP has developed a wealth of technical advice and knowledge based on real life experience, which is available to you in your role as partner,” Mr Stone concluded.
Editor's notes
- Peter Stone is delivering his speech to the FutuResource conference at 1000am on Wednesday 16th June 2010 at which time the full speech will be available on the WRAP website. www.wrap.org.uk
- Drawn up by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and the Local Government Association, The Waste Collection Commitment is a simple ten-point plan which pledges local authorities to explain clearly the sort of collection they will deliver to council tax payers.
- The Waste Collection Commitment was launched in mid-2009. 66 out of 152 local authorities in England have signed up to the voluntary agreement. There are 433 Local Authorities in the UK. To learn more about the Waste Collection Commitment visit:
The Waste Collection Commitment - WRAP’s vision is a World Without Waste. WRAP helps individuals, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change.
- Established as a not-for-profit company in 2000, WRAP is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- For information on the Courtauld Commitment see: http://www.wrap.org.uk/retail/courtauld_commitment/
- More information on all of WRAP's programmes can be found on www.wrap.org.uk
Jane Faure-Brac
Head of Press & PR
01295 819619
jane.faure-brac@wrap.org.ukTel:
