Community incentives crucial to getting public behind waste facilities :: wasteaction.org.uk

Incentivising community buy-in is crucial to achieving the exponential increase in the pace of development of new waste management facilities needed in the UK, according to a report published...

The study, entitled ‘Waste management infrastructure: Incentivising community buy-in,' claims that community ownership of waste facilities, discounts on utility bills for locals and community funds are all avenues which the government and industry could explore to get more facilities on the ground.

Drawing on previous research and a substantial set of interviews with waste professionals - including CIWM chair Steve Lee, Dr Gev Eduljee from SITAUK, Peter Jones OBE and consultant Bob Lisney - the study makes a set of specific recommendations to help the UK achieve the sort of successes experienced in other European countries, where waste facilities are associated with social benefits. The study was published by the Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group (APRSRG) - a forum which informs debate between parliamentarians and business leaders.

Writing in the foreword to the report, APSRG co-chairs Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE and Dan Rogerson MP said that public opposition had to be overcome because the Audit Commission believed the UK was treading a "fine line "with regard to meeting "crucial" landfill diversion targets for 2013 and 2020. They said: "Local communities need to be given a genuine stake in the development of new facilities, and realise tangible benefits as a product of this process. This report represents an attempt to address this challenge by identifying innovative solutions that could serve to incentivise community buy-in to the development of new facilities; empowering local communities and delivering tangible community benefits."

More on this story from: letsrecycle.com