The North East Regional Waste Awareness Initiative

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The North East Regional Waste Awareness Initiative

• Progress report

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What is the NERWAI

• A partnership between Public, Private and
  Voluntary Sectors.
• The partnership includes all 25 local authorities
  in the region, One North East, WRAP, The
  Environment Agency, The North East Centre for
  Excellence, Valpak, SITA and Groundwork.

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Aims

• To raise awareness of sustainable waste
  management across the region.
• To bring public, private and voluntary sectors
  together.
• To encourage cooperation between partners in
  order to achieve common goals.
• To provide a link between local and national
  campaigns.
• To work to reduce the impacts of packaging.

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The NEWRAI Coordinator

• Appointed to take forward the aims of the NERWAI.
• Funded through Valpak, the North East Centre for
  Excellence, Procter and Gamble, the Environment
  agency, and ENCAMS.
• With additional funding for activities from SITA.
• Post hosted by Groundwork at the regional office.

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Work to date

• Gap analysis conducted,
• Key areas for action identified,
• Action plan for each produced,
• Business plan produced,
• Initial development works undertaken on priority
  areas,
• Small scale media activity undertaken.

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Current NERWAI Priorities

• 14 gaps were identified by gap analysis.
• 4 priorities selected by steering group, these
  are
• 1) General waste awareness campaigns
• 2) A secondary education programme
• 3) Community Group engagement
• 4) Packaging waste reduction activities

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Waste Awareness Campaigns

• To promote the 3 rs in equal measure.
• Focusing on activities that are universally
  available across the region.
• Complimenting local and national activities.
• Making use of regional media/advertising
  opportunities

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Secondary education programme

• Targeting year 8 pupils across the region.
• Improving the delivery of waste education through
  the curriculum, focusing on Key stage 3
  citizenship and Design Technology.
• In class delivery by environmental
  educationalists to assist teachers.
• Inset training on packaging.

9
Community Group engagement

• To actively engage community groups of all types
  in waste issues.
• To use community groups to spread waste messages.
• To encourage the development of community waste
  projects.
• Working in partnership with Resnet.

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Packaging waste reduction

• Aim to reduce the weight of packaging being
  disposed of at landfill.
• Work with regional suppliers and retailers to
  reduce the amount of packaging.
• Educate consumers on packaging.
• Promote the recycling of packaging waste.

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Current activities

• Fund raising for education and waste campaigns.
• Education programme development.
• Continued engagement with local media.

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Targets for 2008

• Establish education programme by Oct 08.
• Secure financial support for regional waste
  campaigns and commence delivery of targeted
  campaigns.

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The End

• Any Questions?