Resources

WRAP have produced a series of step-by-step guides aimed at encouraging more partnerships between local authorities, waste management companies and third sector organisations to deliver more re-use.

By repairing or re-using goods which still retain some operational value there are social, financial and environmental benefits in comparison to producing a brand new product.  

The Hub provides local authorities with a comprehensive online resource to enable them to produce a Waste Prevention plan and to help householders prevent waste.

The main types of waste prevention activity covered by the Household Waste Prevention Hub are outlined below.

Whilst a good number of local authorities do collect household food and garden waste for large-scale composting and digestion operations, composting at home has the added benefit of avoiding transport impacts and producing a soil improver output which can be used in resident’s gardens.

This section describes the opportunities for re-use of electrical and electronic products that would otherwise be discarded.

Garden waste - otherwise known as green waste - is decomposing organic matter that can be used as a fertiliser. Although composting is not technically waste prevention, it is included here because it removes material from the municipal waste stream.

The Furniture Re-use Network (FRN) indicates that around 30% of bulky waste collected from householders and/or collected at the HWRCs can be re-used. 

Waste prevention defined, as seen in the Waste Framework Directive.

This section sets out reasons why waste prevention should be integral to any waste strategy.

Some or all advertising mail items can be judged as unwanted; this can include addressed and unaddressed items, flyers and free newspapers.

The value of unused clothing in wardrobes has been estimated at around £30 billion. It is also estimated £140 million worth of clothing goes into landfill each year.

These estimates suggest there is an opportunity for local authorities to divert clothing waste away from disposal by promoting better care for clothing and alternative management options. Local authorities also have a role to play in providing advice on extending the life of clothes through enhanced care, re-use and recycling.