Waste & Environment Projects
Exploit opportunities for involvement in or learning from other initiatives (WE075)
The project provides Waste and Environment practitioners with regular updates of national and regional developments and initiatives being deployed in this region and in other regions, providing up to date knowledge of new technologies and opportunities for new ways of working.
Events that are relevant to the interests of the practitioners are identified and attended by a nominee who then provides a synopsis to be disseminated to targeted circulation lists of appropriate officers.
Benchmarking - developing a knowledge base of current activity, policy and strategy (WE076)
This project has developed a single repository for data relating to waste management operations across the north east. This provides an accurate profile which will in turn support and scope other projects within the programme.
The data held will be used for several purposes including listing key contacts, sharing best practice, identifying new ways of working, harmonising contractual arrangements and assessing the potential for collaborative procurement of goods and services relating to waste management regionally.
Co-ordinate Joint Waste Management Strategies and associated activity (WE077)
This project will identify and exploit opportunities for:
- efficiency as a result of improved collaboration
- increased recycling performance through adoption of best practice
- alignment of contract start and finish dates to generate collaborative procurement opportunities.
This will result in development of a Regional Strategy for LA Waste Management activity, based on consideration of the results of the baselining project and the sub-regional waste strategies. This will assist in linking the sub-regional strategies into an operational plan and emphasise opportunities for developing collaborative working.
Regional and Sub Regional Communications Strategy (WE078)
An agreed waste theme that pertains to all North East LAs and FRSs will be promoted to householders in the region. An appropriate engagement strategy will be delivered and the key messages and core activities will be supplemented by sub-regional communications activities undertaken by one or more LAs. Read more here.
Create links between demolition and regeneration projects and waste (WE079)
This project has links with the Construction Programme and will use data from all planned construction activity in the region to realise LA efficiencies, environmental benefits and potential business opportunities for SMEs/Third Sector Organisations by:
- Linking demolition activity from construction sites to 'resource recovery'
- Achieving higher recycling rates
- Reduction in costs of materials where recovered/recycled materials are used
- Reduction in the quantity of unused construction materials land-filled by a consistent and efficient approach to Site Waste Management Planning
Promote cultural change through targeted approach to schools and businesses (WE080)
It is recognised that schools require a flexible range of support depending on needs. This project will target specific support and awareness and 'pilot' a range of activity on the theme of waste in the Newcastle City area to develop a model that is sufficiently flexible for other LAs ion the region to adopt. This project will achieve a common waste awareness approach for all schools in the region, tailored to local conditions. It will include developing a series of on-line web based learning modules targeted to three key age groups.
This project will be both theoretical and practical in that schools taking part will be given recycling facilities of their own where appropriate - this will add to the efficiency gains from the project, to improved participation in regional campaigns, reduced waste disposal costs for schools and improvement against national waste indicators.
Click here to read about the Schools Against Waste programme
Investigate potential for a recyclate processing facility in the NE region (WE081)
A feasibility study will be undertaken to research recyclate processing options based upon the details included in the 'baselining' study. This will research ways in which the region could build future resilience for recycling activity and challenge the way in which recycling is currently dealt with by the region's LAs.
As well as the possibility for new business and employment in the region, this project will increase the resilience of the regional LA waste management activity so that future fluctuations in supply and demand for recyclates can be more easily managed.
Efficiency and Value for Money Projects (WE082)
A range of projects are being initiated with relevant partners relating to increased efficiency informed by the results of the baselining project and examples of best practice or innovation within the region. These projects include:
- Considering how to address the problems associated with environmentally friendly treatment of gulley arisings
- A common approach to abandoned vehicles involving the various responsible agencies
- Use of smart technology to provide efficiencies - eg use of telemetry at recycling "bring sites" or mobile working
- Developing Fleet Management efficiency KPIs
Knowledge sharing and awareness changing activities targeted at practitioners (WE083)
This project seeks to provide a range of activities to sharing knowledge and disseminate good practice - drawing on the many examples of good practice and performance already within the region, as well as that identified as being of importance from other regions and current national issues as they develop.
A 'sustainability' conference on 13th October 2009 will highlight and debate current issues facing the industry including cultural change, waste minimisation, recycling, new technology etc. This will generate demand for future activities including smaller scale workshops and learning exchanges, shadowing and mentoring, preparation and dissemination of benchmarking and case study information, and the research and co-ordination of web based information.
As this project overarches the whole waste and environment programme, it will act as a platform for sharing knowledge on other projects within the programme. It will also identify collective action to take initiatives forward when RIEP ends in 2011.
North East Sustainable Waste conferences 2009 & 2010
Route Optimisation Project (WE084)
This project will generate efficiency savings, rationalisation of assets and improved environmental performance in respect of refuse collection and recycling services by implementing a standard approach to Route Optimisation throughout the region.
Every Council will be provided with the software and skills to implement Route Optimisation and therefore develop the ability to modify services to achieve efficiencies in relation to providing additional or enhanced services by computer aided 'scenario planning'.
Additional functionality will be provided including linking CRM and information-gathering on take up of collection and other street scene related services will provide additional efficiencies through improved services and more efficient targeting of communications and publicity campaigns etc.
Other Projects
Climate Change Best Practice Project
Carbon Reduction Capital Innovation Fund 200910
Programme Contacts
Peter Schofield, Programme Manager Telephone: 07801 600 745