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News Release
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The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) today launched Rubbish to Resource, a new guide for local authorities highlighting the vital role that councils can play in confronting the national crisis in waste.
In 2000/01, an average of 522kg of waste was collected from every person in England. The current figure of 28 million tones of household refuse collected each year accounts for the vast majority of municipal waste. Although rates of recycling are improving, they have not kept pace with the increase in the volume of rubbish that is being produced. This drains natural resources and is economically inefficient.
Produced in partnership with Waste Watch, and with support from Friends of the Earth, Rubbish to Resource highlights examples of current best practice from local authorities around the country. The publication argues that local authorities have a vital contribution to make in improving performance in waste reduction and recycling and in raising awareness of issues around environmental sustainability.
As well as the specific obligations in British and European environmental legislation, councils can act under the powers to promote community and environmental well being in the Local Government Act 2000 and with new powers on trading and charging in the Local Government Act 2003.
Rubbish to Resource highlights the key challenges that confront local authorities:
* Make recycling easier for residents, including those in high-rise blocks where recycling can be difficult.
* As education authorities and through their communications work, councils need to promote the importance of reducing the amount of waste generated and increasing recycling.
* Building recycling and green initiatives into local economic regeneration and enterprise, and using the local authority influence, as a bulk purchaser of goods and services, to promote environmentally progressive policies.
* Improving the general performance and practices of councils on waste management and ecological issues.
LGIU Policy Officer David Janner-Klausner, author of Rubbish to Resource, said: "Councils have an obligation to take the lead on reducing the amount of waste that society generates and on increasing recycling. They now also have new powers to act creatively in meeting these objectives. There are incentives too. For example, new business opportunities and local jobs can be created around the reuse of waste.
"In Rubbish to Resource, the LGIU encourages councils to embrace the green agenda and to do everything possible to raise awareness of the urgent environmental issues that confront us."
ENDS
For further information contact:
Kevin Morton
Tel: 020 7554 2858
Mobile: 07958 314846
E-mail: kevin.morton@lgiu.org.uk
Mary Wimbury
Tel: 020 7554 2845
Mobile: 07958 521344
E-mail: mary.wimbury@lgiu.org.uk
Notes to Editors
1. The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) is Britain's foremost independent local democracy think tank, campaigning to extend local authority best practice, freedoms and responsibilities. Recent initiatives have included the Commission on Local Governance and the LGIU is working to influence the debate on local government modernisation. The LGIU and its sister organisations The Education Network (TEN) and the Democratic Health Network (DHN) provide research, policy briefings, information, advice, training and lobbying services to local authority and trade union affiliates. Previous LGIU news releases and statements can be viewed at www.lgiu.gov.uk.
2. Waste Watch is Britain's leading environmental organisation, promoting sustainable resource management by reducing wasteful resource consumption and maximising resource reuse and recycling. Waste Watch can be found at www.wastewatch.org.uk.
3. Journalists can obtain a free copy of Rubbish to Resource by contacting Kevin Morton, LGIU Press Officer, on tel. 020 7554 2858; or e-mail Kevin.morton@lgiu.org.uk. Please also contact Kevin Morton if you wish to speak to the author of Rubbish to Resource, David Janner-Klausner.
4. Copies of Rubbish to Resource are on sale at £10 each (£5 to LGIU affiliates) from Central Books on 0845 458 9910, 0845 458 9912 (fax) or e-mail mo@centralbooks.com
Kevin Morton
Press Officer
Local Government Information Unit
22 Upper Woburn Place
London
WC1H 0TB
Telephone: 020 7554 2858 (direct line)
07958 314846 (mobile)