Welcome to The Network

So, here we are in 2005, a new year and a fresh start for us all. The year ahead is going to be challenging for everyone involved in waste promotion, education and training. Recent figures announced by Audit Scotland put our recycling and composting rate at just over 12%; with a 25% target set for 2006 the next twelve months will be eventful.

The Network is also evolving and will be bringing you special features throughout the year. Riches from Recycling in this edition looks at EBay and other exchange schemes on the Web and how they are effectively realising value from and reusing your unwanted items.  We’re introducing themed editions, and inviting guest editors to join the Network News bringing with them new ideas, experience and skills from a range of fields.

Waste Strategy Area Coordinator, Dianne Foy gives us an insight into her role in Focus On, and we find out about the workings of a Waste Strategy Area Group from Edinburgh City Council’s John Paterson.

This edition also comes with an early appeal to you all to keep us informed on what’s happening near you, now and in the months to come. April’s edition of The Network News will focus on Composting so get in touch!

February’s edition of the Network News also contains:

• In NWS Update: the Area Waste Plan Annual Reports will be published during March 2005, providing information on AWP implementation progress; Edinburgh City Council’s John Paterson provides an insight into Waste Strategy Area Groups – What they are and what they do?; and we highlight the recent 4UK Strategy event.
  
  
• Find out about new Waste Scotland Regulations 2005 ( Scotland )
  
  
• Education, Training & Resources provides an update on current Eco School award status; information on Bright New Scotland's new website developments; Aigas Field Centre becomes the third Eco Centre in Scotland; CIWM introduce their new Development Officer for Scotland; a community training scheme is highlighted; SWAG introduce their new poster creator tool for the construction industry; and what's in the latest SEPA View.
  
  
• Funding provides an update from Increase; news from Edinburgh City Council on Funding for the 3 R’s ; information on workshops being run by CRNS on community funding; WRAP’s Innovation Fund and what it could mean for retailers; and news on a new cash injection from the Executive to tackle Fly tipping.
  
  
• Information on local and national events can be found in the latest Envirevents bulletin under the Events section; also included in this edition is a new 2005 International Environmental Campaign Calendar.
  
  
• Get on the campaign trail with Waste Aware Scotland and find out what campaigns are running where; log on to www.wascot.org.uk to get the latest from the Scottish Waste Awareness Group’s innovative Sort It tool.
  
  
• Your Network contains information on what's happening near you. In this edition you'll find a range of information from Highland , North East, Tayside, Fife , Forth Valley , Lothians & Borders, Glasgow & Clyde Valley , Argyll & Bute, and Ayrshire, Dumfries & Galloway.
  

If you know of something going on in your area tell us by emailing: thenetwork@sepa.org.uk