The local authority partners in Project Integra - Hampshire's groundbreaking long-term strategy for household waste - have collectively been awarded Beacon Council Status for sustainable development in dealing with waste. Integra partner representatives will be staffing a special display at internal stand 545 of this year's Institute of Wastes Management exhibition in Torbay from 13 to 15 June.

Integra is proud that Hampshire's countywide recycling rate is one of the highest in the UK - provisional figures indicate 21.5% in 1999/2000. This success, owed to our unique partnership between county, unitary and district/borough councils, plus disposal contractor Hampshire Waste Services (part of the Onyx Group) has enabled the countywide achievement of Beacon Status.

The Integra stand at this year's huge IWM gathering will showcase the best practice knowledge and experience that we can share with other local authorities and organisations. All aspects of municipal waste management are covered, from collection methods to recycling, composting to energy recovery. Come and see our colourful display and ask for more information about your particular areas of interest.

We are also keen to develop our future plans and to learn from others - so please visit the Integra stand to discuss issues of resource recovery and how to meet the National Waste Strategy targets.

As part of our obligations under the Beacon award, Project Integra is holding open days to disseminate information. The first, in Southampton last month was a great success with 120 delegates. See the Integra web site - www.integra.org.uk - and click on the Beacon logo for details of this event, and information about the second open day in Fleet on 18 October. The web site also holds many Integra publications and a wealth of other information about waste management and recycling in Hampshire.

9 June 2000