Title: A UK county sustainable waste management programme

Authors: Paul S. Phillips, Paul Clarkson, Nicholas J. Barnes, Julie Adams

Addresses: Centre for Sustainable Waste Management, School of Environmental Science, University College Northampton, Northampton, NN2 7AL, UK. Centre for Sustainable Waste Management, School of Environmental Science, University College Northampton, Northampton, NN2 7AL, UK. Centre for Sustainable Waste Management, School of Environmental Science, University College Northampton, Northampton, NN2 7AL, UK. Small Business Service, Northampton NN3 6BJ, UK

Abstract: The UK Sustainable Development Strategy requires that society makes prudent use of resources so as to protect the environment and at the same time maintain high and stable levels of economic growth and employment. The key to sustainable waste management is waste minimisation, the reduction of waste at source. Waste minimisation clubs have been a central feature of the UK program to encourage the adoption of more sustainable practice. A large and dynamic partnership of local and regional players has delivered a program of some 14 waste minimisation/resource efficiency projects in Northamptonshire, a county in the East Midlands of England, since 1997. The projects have delivered impressive financial savings and training for some 272 companies, mostly SMEs. An evaluation of the program has indicated the central role of a Higher Education Institution (University College Northampton), as a facilitator and service provider.

Keywords: waste minimisation; sustainable development; county partnerships; performance indicators, SMEs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2002.000714

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2002 Vol.1 No.1, pp.2-19

Published online: 17 Jul 2003 *

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