Over 150 people from across the United Kingdom attended the second Project Integra Beacon Council open day at Fleet’s Harlington Centre, to look at ways of using waste in sustainable and economic development.

Concentrating on waste as a resource, the aim was to discuss the recovery of material resources from the current waste stream and to consider the implications for ‘closing the environmental and economic loop’ on a local level.

This ground breaking event included delegate-led workshops coupled with interactive working with key people from all sectors involved in waste and recycling - a real learning opportunity for all delegates. Amongst the multi-sector audience were local government waste management officers; economic development officers; chief executives; strategy and policy officers; industrialists, and representatives from charities who recycle.

Partnership building was a recurring theme in this event’s outcomes, with an emphasis on long term as well as short term planning. Waste should no longer be perceived as rubbish, because with the correct collection and recovery methods it becomes a valuable resource.

Garth Ward of the Salvation Army, who recover thousands of tonnes of textiles every year, commented "The event was a breath of fresh air with an original theme in trying to bring around cultural change in waste management."

A third Project Integra Beacon Council Open Day is being planned for 7 March 2001 in Winchester, which will consider the future of resource management. It will include an opportunity to explore the benefits of partnership working, looking at Hampshire’s household waste research programme and how to achieve best value.

If you require additional information about any of Project Integra’s Beacon Council activities, please visit the web site www.integra.org.uk, and click on the Beacon logo.