More details have emerged of the 'Zero Waste Places Standard', a new Defra-backed accreditation which aims to encourage local authorities to improve the sustainability of their waste management beyond meeting national recycling targets.The standard was unveiled by environment secretary Hilary Benn on October 13th as part of a raft of 'zero waste' measures (see letsrecycle.com story) and as such has a focus on waste reduction.
Councils will be encouraged to apply for the standard to receive recognition of their success in areas such as recycling and waste reduction through a particular initiative, and it will also aim to motivate them to improve their performance further. In a similar way to the original 'Zero Waste Places' initiative, which aims to showcase best practice in sustainable waste management, the standard can be awarded to anything from a street to an entire community.
The standard is being run by the Defra-funded BREW Centre for Local Authorities and, the centre's national co-ordinator, Helen Bird, explained: "The accreditation will give recognition to those councils who are doing really well, as well as providing the accreditation it also motivates people to do more and get involved," she added.
The announcement of the second set of showcase 'zero waste places' were unveiled in October:
• London Borough of Hackney - a resident of the Follingham Court estate near Hoxton Square has set up a 'Carbon Club', working with the council to reduce both emissions and waste, and actions will include installing a community composting facility, vertical grow growing, community food growing with raised bed, food rescue pack from Love Food Hate Waste, Zero Waste Bin and more.
• Bishops Castle in Shropshire - the project will focus on waste reduction, with measures including enhancing the town's community recycling facility and working with the farmers market to increase composting, with the overall aim of reducing waste to landfill by 6% over the next two years;
• Dorchester-on-Thames in Oxfordshire - the initiative will focus on waste reduction for materials which cannot be recycled by households, and will also look to work with schools and businesses to reduce residual waste;
• London Borough of Lambeth - the Brixton 'Low Carbon Zone' will be extended to include residents and businesses within the Coldharbour ward, including running waste audits and installing 'Recycle on the Go' facilities;
• London Borough of Newham - supporting market traders and shops at Queens Market in their efforts to reduce waste, with the target of diverting 375 tonnes from landfill over a three month period;
• Suffolk county council - seven streets will look to reduce their collective waste by 50% and will be offered advice and guidance on how to minimise and recycling more waste.
Commenting on the choice of places, the environment secretary, Hilary Benn, said: "These six areas will provide innovative and often easy ways for people to get involved in cutting their waste. I look forward to seeing the projects, and how can all learn from them."
For more go here
Technorati Tags: zero waste waste minimisation waste prevention BREW DEFRA Zero Waste Place Hackney Follingham Court vertical+growing
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