Resources for the Public Sector

Through our work, Resource Futures has accumulated a significant body of in-depth research. The reports and papers listed below are particularly relevant to those involved in tackling the challenges posed by waste. If you would like any further advice or guidance please do not hesitate to contact us.

The National Assessment of Civic Amenity Sites (NACAS) Final Report

The National Assessment of Civic Amenity Sites, NACAS, was the largest research project to have been carried out into Civic Amenity (CA) sites in the UK. The main focus of the research was the investigation of factors that affect CA site recycling rates. The report and toolkit offers best practice guidance on increasing recycling rates at CA sites and is widely regarded as the definitive guide to good CA site management practice. The project entailed detailed assessments of 130 CA sites and statistical analysis of factors affecting recycling rates and operational efficiency. The project was the overall winner of the Biffaward Awards in 2004 and an impact assessment for the project indicates that it has been responsible for the additional recycling of 1% of UK household waste (300,000 tonnes pa, base year 2004), due to CA site improvements implemented by local authorities and contractors through following the NACAS guidance.

The Trade Waste Inputs to Civic Amenity Sites (TWICAS) Final Report

This ground breaking and important 18 month project, funded by Biffaward through the Landfill Tax Credits scheme, was run as a partnership between Future West and Network Recycling (now Resource Futures). The study found that approximately 13% of Civic Amenity site waste is brought in by traders under the guise of household waste (2001 figures by weight). Some sites are hit worse than others, with the most affected site in the study experiencing up to 17% of its waste from trade origin. Traders using CA sites were found to be mainly manual traders (builders, house clearance, gardeners, for example) from small sized businesses. We therefore researched the legal disposal options for these particular types of traders, in order to investigate why some traders are choosing to avoid the legal option. The main problem was found to be price & minimum charge. The report’s recommendations include the developing of ‘trade recycling centres’ by councils and/or private contractors.

Project Synopses

Engaging the Residents of North London with Love Food Hate Waste

Resource Futures recruited and managed two embedded Outreach Workers to support the North London Waste Authority’s, WRAP funded, Love Food Hate Waste campaign. During the seven month period, the Outreach Workers organised and delivered over sixty roadshows in supermarkets, businesses, libraries and at community groups, across NLWA’s seven constituent boroughs, to engage more than 3,500 people with the campaign.

Assessing Bulky Waste in Northern Ireland

Resource Futures carried out a comprehensive review of bulky wastes in Northern Ireland. The review considered quantities arising, types, sources and destinations of bulky waste materials; and importantly the capacity for reuse of such material.The report is intended to be a useful contribution to the waste prevention strand of the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Good Practice Guidance

Whilst Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling activity is firmly established in the UK, its collection and treatment is a rapidly growing and evolving sector. WRAP research reveals that the average household has 3 old or broken WEEE items stored in the home, therefore there are millions of items out there just waiting to be collected…