PROJECT INTEGRA ACHIEVING WASTE TARGETS

Project Integra welcomes the government’s Waste Summit and supports a review of the UK’s waste recycling performance.

Project Integra, Hampshire’s waste management strategy, is succeeding in its aim to increase recycling rates, and to decrease the proportion of waste that is landfilled. During the year 2000, Project Integra achieved its target to recycle 25% of domestic waste; with a UK average of 10%, Integra’s rate has made a considerable contribution.

Its success continues on track, to meet future targets set by the government; Project Integra partners are working together to maximise the potential for recycling in Hampshire.

Waste is growing at a rate of up to 3% a year, the cost of disposal increases every year, and EU Landfill Directive fines are a strong future possibility, so recycling is more important than ever. Local authorities have an obligation to meet higher waste recycling targets, each being set an individual target depending on past performance.

Councillor Patrick Burridge, Member for East Hampshire District Council and Deputy Chairman of the Project Integra Management Board says, "Project Integra’s waste strategy was decided upon after extensive consultation with the people of Hampshire, and is seen as a shining example to other authorities who are trying to establish partnership working and increase their recycling rates. Last year, we were awarded Beacon Status for dealing with waste, and regularly host visits and conferences for authorities all over the country coming to find out how we manage waste in Hampshire. "

There is a £150million infrastructure, and over 90% of households have a kerbside collection of recyclables. There are 26 household waste recycling centres to which the public can take bulky household waste, for recycling or disposal, and a network of several thousand bring banks for items such as bottles, cans, plastic bottles, textiles, books, newspapers and magazines. Two Materials Recovery Facilities sort, bale and send recyclables for reprocessing. Green garden waste, taken to the recycling centres, is centrally composted at three sites, and sold as Pro-Grow, a high quality organic soil conditioner. The strategy also includes three energy recovery incinerators, which will further reduce the pressure on rapidly filling landfill sites.

As the government will be holding a Waste Summit on Wednesday, it is useful to see how we are doing locally – and the news is good! Hampshire’s track record is excellent, and the Project Integra partnership will continue to lead the way, and to spread the message of best practice.

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For further information, please contact

Graham Tombs, Executive Officer, Project Integra on 023 8028 5956, or Anne Green-Wilkinson at Hampshire County Council, 01962 846629.

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