3.4 Facilitating and Supporting the BPEO

3.4.1 BPEO Infrastructure

Taking forward the implementation of the BPEO will require a partnership approach between the Waste Strategy Area Group members (see Figure 4, Section 2) and other stakeholders to achieve the targets set out above. A significant level of investment and infrastructure development will be required to ensure that waste produced in Lothian and Borders is dealt with effectively and sustainably whilst achieving Best Value. The immediate next steps for the Lothian and Borders Local Authorities will be to develop more detailed Implementation Plans. These will provide more localised detail on the necessary actions, costings and timescales for local delivery of the Area Waste Plan BPEO. It is also recognised that, in taking forward this BPEO, there will be significant linkage with the planning system to secure approval for sites and projects. A number of ‘pilot projects’ are also likely to be introduced for waste collection. This will allow detailed evaluation of a number of options before their long-term establishment. The following table sets out an indication at this stage of the key facilities required to meet the BPEO.

Table 14 provides an indication only of the waste management facilities required to achieve the BPEO for MSW (comparison between continued growth in waste arisings and stabilisation of MSW arisings). It should be noted that these may change as contractual arrangements between Local Authorities and the waste management industry may require fewer larger, or more smaller scale facilities to achieve the same diversion targets. The development of any facilities will also seek to achieve improved economies of scale by processing similar Non-Municipal Wastes that could increase the capacity of facilities developed. Further work included in Section 4 of the plan on “Non-Municipal Solid Waste” will provide more robust information on the likely impacts of Non-Municipal Solid Waste reprocessing.

(*The list excludes the need for possible additional transfer stations and reprocessors)

Table 14 - Implementation of Indicative BPEO Infrastructure

Actual capacity required will be dependant on several variables including waste composition, waste growth, participation in recycling schemes, the success of waste
prevention schemes and is for municipal solid waste only.

1 – Based on continued waste growth reference Table 7, Section 2.2.1
2 – Based on aspiration to stabilise growth in waste arisings by 2020 reference 9a and 9b section 2.4.1

3.4.2 Indicative Cost of Implementing the BPEO

The costings below provide a comparison of indicative costs involved in the implementation of the BPEO for Municipal Solid Waste against actual costs of MSW management in 1999 (as reported to the Scottish Executive, source SWMBA), MSW management costs at continued waste growth (no waste minimisation) and MSW management at stabilisation of waste arising by 2020. The actual costs will ultimately be determined by a range of factors such as market forces, contract agreements, the size and location of facilities, funding available, taxes (such as the landfill tax), transport and labour costs, political factors, etc. The costs set out below are estimates provided by independent consultants and show an indication of the significant level of additional funding that is required to implement the BPEO and highlights the financial impact of significant levels of waste minimisation.

Table 15 and Table 16 - Indicative Costs (at present day prices) of BPEO
(at continued growth in waste arisings and a waste minimisation comparison)

Table 15

The cost per tonne does not take into account revenues from the sale of recovered materials, but does take into account future projections in landfill tax as set out in Section 2.3.

Table 16

Continued growth in waste arisings model is based on Table 7 in Section 2.2.1
The waste-stabilisation model is based on example of waste prevention set out in Figure 6 and Figure 7 in Section 2.5.1.

The focus of the process to establish the BPEO was to find the optimum methods of waste treatment that should be used to at least meet the three landfill reduction targets set by the Landfill Directive (i.e. permitted to landfill 75%, 50% and 35% of 1995 levels of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill, by 2010, 2013, and 2020 respectively). In the light of the draft AWPs published in spring 2002, the Executive has calculated that an interim overall national target of recycling and composting of 25% of waste collected by local authorities is achievable by 2006 by implementation of AWPs, and has allocated adequate funding to achieve that target. The indicative costings set out in this plan will be further refined in each of the local authorities implementation plans for the purpose of Strategic Waste Fund bids. Further information on national costings is provided in the National Waste Plan (2003). Authorities will be expected to seek grant support from the Strategic Waste Fund (£230 million for the financial years 2003/04, 2004/05, 2005/06) to assist with the additional costs of implementing the AWPs and will be expected to ensure that delivery of the plans will contribute to the 2006 targets by early implementation of recycling and composting systems.

3.4.3 BPEO Employment Opportunities

An estimation has been made of the total number of people who will be employed in the waste industry in the area if the BPEO is implemented. This is projected to increase to 1500 in 2010 and 2500 in 2020. This includes employment in construction of new waste management infrastructure.

3.4.4 Recycling Market Development

It is clear that if Scotland is to make better progress in recycling and the targets within the BPEO are to be achieved, significant effort must be made to develop both national and local markets using recycled materials. Progress can also be made in improving the logistics of supply to markets outside Scotland. The UK national WRAP (Waste Resources Action Programme) and ReMaDe (Recycling Market Development) programmes have been established to promote sustainable waste management through the creation of stable markets for recycled materials and products and by removing barriers to waste minimisation, reuse and recycling.

The ReMaDe Scotland (Recycling Market Development www.remade.org.uk) programme was established in 1999 to identify potential markets and uses for recovered materials in Scotland. It is the key focal point for recycling market development in Scotland and is seeking to increase recovery of waste, create jobs, support the Area Waste Plan and local recycling businesses through encouraging investment, supporting local partnerships and engaging in wider awareness in uses of recovered materials.

WRAP (Waste Resource Action Programme www.wrap.org.uk) is a £40m UK-wide programme funded for 3 years (established in 2001) to change attitudes to waste minimisation and recycling through the creation of stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products. The programme is looking at material-specific research and development projects, compost standards, delivering training programmes and government procurement. WRAP is working closely with ReMaDe and other organisations, addressing barriers to recycling including market development; supply chain issues, investment packages to reduce business risk in new technologies and processes, and is supporting the development of recycling infrastructure.

The Waste Strategy Area Group will continue to support local applications to WRAP and other market development grant funding.

The development of local recycling markets has the potential to bring local economic opportunities to the area. This is a particular area in which the local enterprise network have a key role in forward development.

ReMaDe and the Local Enterprise Network will be required to provide ongoing monitoring of the local business development opportunities when providing information on proposed indicators 4 and 9 as set out in Table 20 Section 5.5.2.

3.4.5 Education and Awareness Raising

The National Waste Strategy: Scotland makes it clear that there needs to be a fundamental shift in attitudes and behaviour of all waste producers in Scotland. There must be an integrated effort on promotion and education to ensure that both householders and businesses are fully aware of the objectives of the Area Waste Plan and have an opportunity to contribute, particularly to the proposed waste recycling and recovery arrangements, and waste minimisation initiatives.

The Waste Strategy Area Group is clear that the key element to effecting change in waste management is to improve awareness and attitudes to waste. This was reinforced by the consultation responses where the fundamental awareness of what happens to waste after it is collected is very low. Any future educational campaigns are, therefore, starting from the very basic level and will be co-ordinated through the Lothian and Borders Waste Aware working group – a multi-stakeholder group of the key partners that can deliver waste awareness at the local level.

Action 17
Through the Lothian and Borders Waste Aware Group, develop an integrated waste awareness campaign across the whole waste strategy area.

The Lothian and Borders Waste Aware Group will plan and facilitate public awareness campaigns throughout the area, closely linked to local service and infrastructure development. The campaigns will be delivered through close working with the Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) and in partnership with key stakeholders, including the Local Authorities, SEPA, the private waste industry sector and Non-Governmental Organisations. All local campaigns will also link in with those being undertaken across Scotland to ensure consistency of campaigning messages and maximise educational impact.

The “Waste Aware Lothian and Borders” programme will work towards changing public attitudes and behaviour towards domestic waste management. A baseline survey was conducted during summer 2001 as part of the phase one consultation on the AWP options, when a total of 1250 householders were interviewed on their current waste practices. The findings of this survey will be crucial in developing effective promotional materials, informing project development and tailoring services to local needs.

Campaigns will focus on a specific waste management issues for the Waste Strategy Area and run concurrently with the implementation of the Lothian and Borders Area Waste Plan.

They will comprise of three basic stages:

1. Before survey – to assess attitudes and behaviour towards the identified waste minimisation issue prior to the intervention strategy.

2. Campaign – intensive localised intervention strategy run initially for a 6-month period working in partnership with the WSAG, Local Authorities, retailers, private waste industry, local community and voluntary groups.

3. After survey – to assess attitudes and behaviour towards the identified waste minimisation issue after the intervention strategy and to appraise the effectiveness of the different campaign methods employed.

This format will allow the monitoring of progress towards waste prevention, development of good practice models and best value for changing public attitudes to waste reduction, reuse and recycling. The process also aims to engage stakeholders in assessing local waste management challenges and involve them in developing viable solutions.

The Councils within the Lothian and Borders Area presently deliver a host of local public information services with the aim of increasing environmental awareness, sustainable development, improved health and citizenship. There is potential for the Waste Strategy Area Group to link up with these initiatives and promote the understanding of these issues through participation in local projects.

For example:

i. The Eco Schools Programme is an award scheme, which recognises participating schools that have made a commitment to and are working towards improving their environmental performance. It is also a learning resource, raising awareness and understanding of complex issues through activities that link to curriculum subjects.

Today’s children are future householders and resource consumers. Through targeting education and awareness in schools throughout the Lothian and Borders, good practice can be ingrained within the culture of future adults. There are many opportunities to integrate waste minimisation and recycling into curriculum activities through both theoretical and practical subjects. Local Authorities have a key role in ensuring schools are supported in developing and integrating these subject areas. The Scottish Executive Education Department have adopted the Eco Schools programme as a performance measure for one of their national priorities in education: National Priority 4 – Values and Citizenship.

Action 18
Local Authorities in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful will support the implementation of Eco Schools.

The community recycling sector is also fundamental in the local delivery of education and awareness campaigns. An example within the Lothian and Borders is the work of Lothian and Edinburgh Environmental Partnership (LEEP) who are also members of the Waste Strategy Area Group. This Not-for-Profit organisation carries out a range of waste prevention and recycling initiatives in the area that are supported by initiatives such as educational visits to schools and the printing and circulation of 20 000 copies of the “Too Good To Waste” Recycling Directory. All future campaigns will be linked into and build on the work of active community groups in the area.

Action 19
Develop and print a Lothian and Borders Waste Minimisation Guide/Directory.

The development of new infrastructure as part of the BPEO implementation presents an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of waste issues and increase understanding of the complexities of managing waste.

Action 20
Development of an education centre in midlothian as part of the proposed waste management complex at Drummond Moor to cater for school visits and community groups.

It is recognised that there is already a great deal of information and guidance available to raise awareness of waste-related issues. With the production of further materials associated with local campaigns, it is essential that the communication of such information is accessible to all.

Action 21
Maintain via SEPA’s NWS internet site, electronic information on the Area Waste Plan and link into other related web sites in the area to provide an information network on local waste-related issues.

3.4.6 Community Involvement

The current and future role of the community recycling sector in Scotland cannot be underestimated both in terms of helping to achieve landfill diversion targets and also in terms of training, employment and urban regeneration. This sector delivers frontline services community groups also provide employment and training opportunities, and provides work-training placements for the long-term unemployed and people with special needs.

In recognition of the growing importance of this sector, a Scottish Community Recycling Network, has been established. The key objectives of this network are to provide support and advice to the existing and developing community groups across Scotland as well as addressing issues of concern. The network will also seek to identify individual groups, highlight best practice and promote long-term sustainability within the sector.

The Network proposes a mechanism for delivering local support and information dissemination. These local networks will be run as part of the national framework but will benefit from a shared pool of resources, knowledge and experience. A local structure will focus on:

• identifying the active community groups in any given area and their respective levels of operation and coverage
  

• providing regular meetings and surgeries to workshop ideas and practices

• helping identify new groups and projects
  

• providing capacity building, business and project planning advice

• assisting in identifying and applying for funding
  

• acting as a liaison between community groups and Local Authorities, SEPA, private sector.

Action 22
Investigate sources of potential funding and develop a local voluntary sector network.