Useful Links – Further Information

The Composting Association

The Composting Association is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the sustainable management of biodegradable resources. It promotes the use of biological treatment techniques and encourages good management practices throughout the industry. The Composting Association works throughout the UK to ensure the long-term sustainability of the biological treatment industry by advocating a suitable regulatory and economic framework. See the website for more information and details of your nearest compost supplier.



Forum for Waste and Resources Research and Development (FORWARRD)

FORWARRD aims to promote synergies between key stakeholders and to give added focus to co-ordination, output applicability and relevance to secondary resource and waste management research and development initiatives. Participants in the group represent the interests of the waste industry, Government, the research community/academic institutions, the voluntary sector, environmental bodies (including funders) and professional associations.



Recycling Institute

The Recycling Institute aims to build bridges from theory into practice. It brings together organisations from around the world whose concern it is to develop the quality of recycling theory and to make sure it translates into improved recycling practice. See the Recycling Institute website for more information.



ReMaDe Scotland

Recycling Market Development (ReMaDe) Scotland is a major initiative that seeks to stimulate, develop and strengthen recyclate material markets in Scotland . Its recycling programme

was launched in August 1999 and has a fundamental part in bringing about change, and improving Scotland ’s recycling performance. ReMaDe seeks to encourage a more sustainable waste management approach through its support for the emerging recycling collection and reprocessing infrastructure in Scotland .

Supported by the public and private sector in a unique partnership, the programme is developing strategies for priority materials such as:

• Glass
• Paper/pulp
• Organic waste
• Wood waste
• Plastics

See the ReMaDe website for more details.



Scottish Industrial Symbiosis Programme (SISP)

SISP has been helping to improve the resource productivity of Scottish industry since March 2003. Publicly funded by SEPA and the Scottish Executive, SISP is part of the wider National Industrial Symbiosis Programme.

SISP is co-ordinated by Thirdwave. Thirdwave works to persuade companies to join the programme and organises networking events to demonstrate the benefits of industrial symbiosis in action.

See the website for more details.



SEER Centre

The Sustainable Ecological Earth Regeneration (SEER) Centre carries out research into the use of rock dusts with composted materials. It was established as a charitable trust in 1997, following 10 years of pioneering work by co-founders

Cameron and Moira Thomson on the use of rock dust in building soil fertility and reducing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

The Centre is located on an infertile upland site in Strathardle in the Highlands , where it is subject to cold winds and severe winters. By combining municipal composts with rock dusts, a spectacular demonstration garden has been created, with many flowers and producing heavy crops of tasty fruit and vegetables. Organic methods are used exclusively in cultivation and the aim is to create sustainable land management in an ecologically diverse environment. It is developing a four-acre hill-field to create a scientific and educational resource.

See the Seer Centre website for more details.



Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER)

SNIFFER is a registered charity formed in 1994 as a company limited by guarantee. It identifies and manages environmental research on behalf of members and stakeholders. Its main objective is to promote and disseminate environmental research particularly in relation to air, land, water and waste.

SNIFFER receives core funding from its five member organisations (SEPA, Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland, the Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Forestry Commission), with additional income from funding partners at a research project and programme level. All research projects are undertaken by contractors selected through a tendering process.

See the SNIFFER website for more details.



Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)

WRAP's mission is to accelerate resource efficiency by creating efficient markets for recycled materials and products, while removing barriers to waste minimisation, reuse and recycling.  

WRAP is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee with funding from Defra, the DTI and the devolved administrations of Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland .

WRAP's initial work programme concentrated on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products for commercial, industrial and municipal waste. With specific work being carried out in six material streams (aggregates, glass, organics, paper, plastics, and wood).

WRAP’s newly added programme areas focus on:

• Reducing waste at home through more home composting, reducing nappy waste, and working with major retailers to reduce supermarket waste
• Setting up an advisory service to help local authorities make their recycling schemes more effective
• Providing support for the expansion of the composting industry necessary to absorb the extra material collected
• Raising public awareness of the need to reduce waste and recycle more
• Helping local authorities get the most out of their collection schemes by promoting them effectively.

See the WRAP website for more details.