Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

UK waste minimisation clubs: a contribution to sustainable waste management

Phillips, P. S., Read, A. D., Green, A. E. and Bates, M. P. (1999) UK waste minimisation clubs: a contribution to sustainable waste management. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 27(3), pp. 217-247. 0921-3449.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: The UK waste strategy is based upon the central concept of the hierarchy of preferable options for the treatment and disposal of waste. Minimisation is placed at the top of the hierarchy and the Government seeks to encourage its uptake by industry and commerce as well as householders. It has been accepted that previous waste management policy and practice have not delivered the hoped for movement up the hierarchy. Within the UK, landfill still predominates as the option most commonly used to deal with waste. Movement towards more sustainable waste management practice has been identified as a priority, in the UK, by the present Labour Government. To that end, they have recently produced a series of consultation papers on sustainable issues that set out their vision and confirm waste minimisation as a key strategy for the future. In an attempt to stimulate the uptake of minimisation methodology by industry, waste minimisation clubs have been developed across the UK. There have been around 60 such clubs and they receive support and guidance from a range of organisations, including the Environment Agency and the ETBPP. These clubs have demonstrated that a significant reduction in waste arisings can occur when minimisation methodology is applied. Minimisation strategies often lead to improved resource efficiency and this is reflected in clear financial savings, e.g. the Leicester Waste Minimisation Initiative recorded mean savings, at the end of year one, of 0.26% of joint turnover. The median, however, better reflects the actual savings and it is apparent that even within a successful club there can be a wide range of performance by companies. Not all clubs have been successful and there has been little attention to the causes of failure in the UK. There are marked regional variations in club distribution and the proposed Regional Development Agencies, working with the Environment Agency, need to quickly establish strategies for minimisation uptake.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Waste, minimisation, minimization, club, sustainable
Subjects: T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering > TD783 Municipal refuse. Solid wastes > TD793.9 Waste minimisation
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences > GE300 Environmental management
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences > GE170 Environmental policy
Creators: Phillips, Paul S, Read, Adam D, Green, A E and Bates, Margaret P
Publisher: Elsevier
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Centre for Research into Sustainable Wastes Management
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > China and Emerging Economies Centre
Research Centres > China and Emerging Economies Centre

University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > School of Science and Technology (2010-2016)
Faculties > Faculty of Arts, Science & Technology > Environmental Science
Research Centres > Environment Research Group
Date: August 1999
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 217-247
Journal or Publication Title: Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume: 27
Number: 3
Language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-3449(99)00016-6
ISSN: 0921-3449
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/6238

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