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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

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 National Assessment of Civic Amenity Sites (NACAS) Final Report 


The Trade Waste Inputs to Civic Amenity Sites

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

Research into reuse of household items through online portals

In 2011, Resource Futures carried out WRAP funded research into how household items are reused through online portals such as eBay, Freegle and Gumtree.  The research included a detailed survey on internet user habits regarding online exchange and sought to understand the reasons for not using such sites.  This research aligns with WRAPs wider goals of improving waste reuse in the UK and was part of a suite of projects relating to reuse all aimed at estimating the environmental benefit of existing reuse and how the volume of reuse can be increased. 

Monitoring online exchange is notoriously difficult due to both the volume of offerings and the lack of information relating to exchanges and Resource Futures were responsible for developing a number of innovative techniques and processes as well as finding difficulties the application of the perceived definitions of reuse versus, for example, second hand. 

Under the revised waste framework directive, reuse is given much greater prominence and importance in the waste management hierarchy and given the accessibility of online exchange forums, reuse through web based mechanisms should be encouraged.  As highlighted through the survey however, offline alternatives include charitable donations, particularly for clothing and therefore any effort to increase online exchange should aim to not to impact on valuable offline processes.

As well as providing evidence for the volume of online exchange, the research concluded that unless there is some homogeneity applied to online exchange systems, the long term monitoring of exchanges will remain a grey area.  Not least since one site lists over 3 million items for reuse every year.  The research report formed part of WRAP’s annual review in December 2011 and is available for download from WRAP at http://www.wrap.org.uk/reuse/

 

 

Project Synopses

Resource Futures helps WRAP understand recent reductions in food waste

Resource Futures has recently helped WRAP to estimate how much household food waste has decreased nationally in recent years, with the recently published “Synthesis of Food Waste Compositional Data 2010” 

Best estimates ever of what’s in our rubbish

Defra has published a study carried out by Resource Futures which provides the best estimates to date of what’s in the ‘national rubbish bin’.

Research into reuse of household items through online portals

In 2011, Resource Futures carried out WRAP funded research into how household items are reused through online portals such as eBay, Freegle and Gumtree.  The research included a detailed survey on internet user habits regarding online exchange and sought to understand the reasons for not using such sites.  

News and Events

Community RePaint: A Helping Hand for Hearts and Minds in 2011

In 2011, householders, traders and paint manufacturers donated 343,957 litres of paint to Community RePaint schemes, which then distributed 217,112 litres to community groups and individuals saving 565 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent of taking 192 cars off our roads - and providing 766 volunteer and training opportunities. The network now has over 65 schemes across the UK and with four new schemes about to start at the beginning of 2012.    

Resource Futures seeks new Non-Executive Chair

Following restructuring during 2011 Resource Futures is now looking to strengthen its Board with a new Non-Executive Chair.  The company is forecasting a three-fold increase in its profit from 2% in the year ended March 2010 to 6% for the year ending March 2012.  The new position will join Chief Executive Officer Jane Stephenson MBE and Operations Director Sam Reeve, bringing independent scrutiny and advice to this successful business at Board level. 

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