Within the next few years Hampshire should phase out landfill for untreated household rubbish. That’s just one of the options being considered by Hampshire’s Councils who are looking at further improving recycling and reduce rubbish .

Residents and organisations have the chance to comment on a set of options which could result in up to 40 new style material processing facilities across the county.

Steve Read, Executive Officer for Project Integra said  “Hampshire is facing some big questions on how we get the best from what we throw away.  Going forward,  it will not be acceptable to use holes in the ground as a place to put rotting household waste”.  Mr Read continued;   “Hampshire residents have played a big part in getting us to where we are now, with around a third of material discarded from homes being recycled or composted.  That’s why we need to involve them in what happens next”.    

The options for how Hampshire Councils should move forward are set out in a draft document officially called a Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy. “That’s a bit of a mouthful”  said Mr Read,  “so we call it the Jimwams.  The draft Jimwams suggests we should be recycling half of all household waste by 2010.  This means that we will need new facilities to sort and process materials like plastic, glass and electrical equipment”. 

“Some material is not recyclable and we already burn much of this very cleanly in our three state of the art incinerators and generate electricity for the national grid. But some still goes to landfill.  A big question is whether we should build more energy recovery facilities or look at different technologies to process those materials that are not recyclable”.  

The “preferred option”  in the Jimwams also calls for more support to small businesses who want to recycle more. “At the moment we have different systems for household waste and commercial waste.  That’s crazy when much of the material is similar and could have a value if recycled.   The cost of waste disposal is rising sharply and we want to be able to offer local businesses a cost-effective alternative”.

The JimWams also includes options for reducing the amount of rubbish produced in the first place.  Mr Read concluded  “All this is not just about reducing the impact on our environment – although that’s vital.  It’s also about having a sustainable local economy. Above all, it’s about people who live and work in Hampshire understanding that what they do with things they don’t want is important now and in the future”.   

Anyone wishing to comment on the Jimwams can do so through a short questionnaire online at www.recycleforhampshire.org.uk  or can get a paper copy from public libraries, or the recycling officer of their District, Borough or City Council, or by contacting Project Integra on 01730 235806.   A more detailed technical questionnaire is also available from the Project Integra number on request.

ENDS

Note to Editors

Project Integra is a joint initiative between the councils of Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport,  Hart, Havant, New Forest, Rushmoor, Test Valley and Winchester; Portsmouth and Southampton unitary authorities; Hampshire County Council, and Veolia Environmental Services Hampshire Ltd.

The partnership has worked together for over 10 years to promote recycling, composting and diversion of material away from landfill.

Recycle for Hampshire is the public campaign supported by the Project Integra partners. It aims to make recycling and composting a normal,  everyday activity for all residents and help them to separate materials.

The consultation on the JimWams will be open until 24 March 2006.

For more information, please contact

Steve Read
Executive Officer, Project Integra
c/o  The Old College
College Street
Petersfield
GU31 4AG

Tel 01730 235806, fax 01730 263622, mobile 07836 544686 
E-mail: steve.read@hants.gov.uk  

6 March 2006

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