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1.3 Developing an Integrated Plan
The AWP seeks to adopt an integrated approach that:
- ensures that all waste streams are considered together and the
solutions chosen for individual waste streams are considered in light of how they impact on
the management of others;
- considers waste minimisation, reuse, recycling, energy recovery,
disposal, promotion and education and local market development in a coherent and planned way;
- ensures consistency with adjoining areas and nation integration of
the plan within the National Waste Strategy: Scotland.
The Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway WSAG has primarily considered the management of municipal
waste. At this stage it has not been possible to take the fully integrated approach as
suggested in SEPA's 'Best Practicable Environmental Decision Making Guidance',
because of issues associated with data availability on the quantity, sources, and content of
industrial and construction and demolition wastes. This will require ongoing consultation
with the Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway waste industry to develop a fully integrated plan
for non-MSW waste streams and a number of action points to take this forward are set out in
this plan. It is recognised that there is a need for an integrated approach to collecting and
managing data to meet the many demands for waste management data. Data are required for
European reporting requirements, policy planning, reviewing performance, assessing the
impacts of new legislation, regulating effectively, aiding research and communicating with
stakeholders.
As part of this process, regular annual surveys of MSW and waste-management licensed sites
are being brought forward by SEPA. In addition, work is ongoing to improve the quality of
data on special waste, priority waste streams and general industrial wastes. Significant
improvement will need to be made to the quality of data on waste arisings if the shift to an
effective resource management culture in Scotland is to be achieved.
When completed and integrated across Scotland, the 11 AWPs will require to collectively meet
national legislative requirements. In order to achieve consistency of approach across the
Waste Strategy Areas, a broad methodology and guidance was established through the following
key documents: 'Supporting Guidance For Area Waste Plans' and 'Best Practicable
Environmental Option BPEO Decision Making Guidance'. An important element was to seek the
involvement of all key stakeholders (waste industry, local authorities and the general
public) at various stages of the process. Consistency between adjoining areas is also
important.
The AWP establishes a broad approach to waste management in the Ayrshire, Dumfries and
Galloway area. However, it must not be seen in isolation, but part of the wider drive of
moving to environmental and community awareness and sustainability objectives. The AWP will
therefore influence and, in turn, be influenced by a raft of other policy documents and
initiatives and has a key role in integrating the investment programmes and other plans,
strategies and initiatives developed by central and local government, partner agencies and
the waste industry generally. A list of potential linked documents is outlined and summarised
in Annex 3.
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