Presentation from Mr Mal Williams - International expert in Clean Stream, a world leading approach to recycling, and Executive Director of the Zero Waste International Trust at The Waste management: best practice showcase 22 November 2018 .
2. FIRST THE STORY SO FAR- THE ROAD TO 64%
2000 – Wales had a 3% recycling rate -97% landfill no incineration
2000 Cleanstream® Total Resource Recovery Systems published by Cylch -
Wales Community Recycling Network.
2002 –FIRST WELSH GOVERNMENT STRATEGY - Wise about Waste published
Decided on a strategic approach driven by evidence only. Separate collection of
each recyclable and separate food waste collections
2003 Investment in recycling began mostly through financing of 22 Local
Authorities in Wales. Each operating different systems.
Cylch - Community sector funded five ambitious exemplar projects aimed at
achieving 50% within 3 years. (All failed to reach 50% in 3 years, but showed
the way in many ways)
3. INVESTMENT IN CHANGE - THE
ROLLOUT PERIOD 2003-2010
22 Local Authorities required to produce recycling plans and begin their
investment in change. Some dragged their feet.
Overall waste strategy achieving its 2002-2010 targets. Confidence in
change growing.
Period characterised by a lot of activity with Local Authorities
experimenting with systems – some trialling varied systems. Very confusing
for the general public – lots of frustration.
4. INVESTMENT IN CHANGE - THE
ROLLOUT PERIOD 2003-2010
22 Local Authorities required to produce recycling plans and begin their
investment in change. Some dragged their feet.
Overall - waste strategy achieving its 2002-2010 targets. Confidence in
change grew.
By 2010 nearly every household in Wales had a separate food collection
service which boosted recycling rates dramatically –at a stroke.
5. ZERO WASTE TARGET ADOPTED AND COLLABORATIVE
CHANGE PROGRAMME INITIATED
Towards Zero Waste by 2010 published
Collaborative Change Programme initiated and resourced.
Household waste decreased from 1.572mtonnes in 2006/7 to
1.349mtonnes in 2013/14 – a decrease of 2% p.a. (Target was 1.2% p.a.)
Recycling targets continue to be met
2016 – 58%
2017 -64% (2019 target met early)
Wales now gunning for the World Gold medal position in the recycling
charts – need 2% more to be ahead of Germany and Taiwan.
6. WHAT WALES HAS LEARNED
• Zeroing waste is ESSENTIAL. Not an option. Waste is a
mistake.
• That a strategic approach is needed to engage everyone. Government must not listen only to monied
interests because a lot of what needs doing fundamentally requires real and considerable voluntary
effort from everyone. It is not right that only companies benefit.
• Recycling doesn’t happen unless everyone does it 24/7
• People create waste and people must stop creating waste – it is everyone’s responsibility. Zeroing
waste is an essential activity.
• That materials must be ascribed value – either by selling to market, or local utilisation or, Curitiba style
– by literally making them exchangeable for things that people need and do value (make them a sort
of currency)
• That people must keep materials separate – mixing them destroys their value. Keeping collections
simple really works best in practice and is far cheaper financially too.
• That collection services are designed to keep the materials separate, are regular, reliable and the
equipment designed for high quality materials’ collection.
• That local reprocessing is encouraged to reduce transport miles, create local employment and retain
wealth creation as locally as possible. Appropriate scale of course.
7.
8. So what next ? – The last 36% in three steps
We know that 93% is technically recyclable – the other 7% needs to be
redesigned or banned.
TO 82% --Residual waste analysis across Wales shows that over half of the
remaining waste contains compostable or recyclable items -18% more is
therefore available if everyone does everything right all the time. So 64+18 =
82% - more targeted education
TO 93% -- The rest requires that we go looking for it – either trawling or line
fishing – items not targeted usually like batteries, carpets, small electrical
items and more reusable items like spectacles, tools, mobile phones, printer
cartridges. Everything to be collected separately for professional triage then
reuse, recycling or upcycling.
To 100% - The last 7% needs redesigning or banning. Banning will be
considered carefully but it is an option. Penalties for not using the successful
system will also be considered once almost everyone is complying. This
intention will be trumpeted to help the lazy focus their thoughts.
9. SUMMARY –KEY POINTS TO SUCCESS
REALISE THAT THIS IS EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY TO A PARADIGM SHIFT IN THE WAY RESOURCES ARE
MANAGED – THAT ALL STUFF IS VALUABLE. CHANGE WILL TAKE TIME AND EFFORT.
ADOPT A ZERO WASTE STRATEGY AND PLAN - AND SET A TARGET DATE WITH INTERIM STATUTORY
TARGETS.
COLLECT EVERYTHING CLEAN – NO MATERIALS’ MIXING (NO MRF’s MBT OR INCINERATORS)
FOCUS ON GETTING ORGANICS OUT OF THE BIN FIRST AND BACK TO THE SOIL FOR FARMERS AND
HORTICULTURALISTS TO GROW BETTER FOOD. (COMPOSTING OR ANAEROBIC DIGESTION)
COLLECT ACCURATE DATA –INSIST ON ACCURACY AND USE AUDIT AND VERIFICATION TO PREVENT
CHEATING OR FALSE CLAIMS.
BE BOLD IN DESIGNING THE SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATE YOUR INTENTIONS EARLY AND FULLY TO THE
GENERAL PUBLIC –INCLUDING WHY YOU ARE DOING IT
RECOGNISE THAT VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION BY 100% OF THE POPULATION IS ESSENTIAL .
BE PREPARED TO EXPERIMENT –ESPECIALLY WITH UPCYCLING AND REUSE OF EXISTING “STUFF”
-
