West Sussex County Council: Council scheme not a waste of time – it’s won an award

Date: Oct 16, 2009

Press Release Number: PR3274

Press Release

A County Council waste prevention initiative has proved it’s not a waste of time - by winning a prestigious award.

The West Sussex Waste Prevention Advisor (WPA) Volunteers Initiative scooped the ‘Best Waste Prevention’ Award, at the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) conference in Liverpool.

The council initiative is managed by ‘Better Tomorrows’, a community interest company, which provides community volunteers with training to promote reducing and recycling rubbish.

The Waste Prevention Advisors, who include doctors, students, parish councillors and artists, are encouraged to develop their own ideas to promote waste prevention.

Derek Whittington, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “This initiative was recognised for its emphasis on changing how we deal with our waste, which requires action from all of us.

“The advisors are reaching groups that the council partnership alone would not be able to access.

“One advisor gave a presentation to her neighbours in her own block of flats, on how to reduce their waste. Another advisor successfully encouraged the residents in his village to replace a bench with one made from recycled plastic.”

The Better Tomorrows project has been given funding from the Environment Agency so it can provide additional training to interested volunteers on business waste. The training will include passing an interview, and completing exams at the end of a 13-week course.

Business Waste Prevention Advisors provide free impartial advice to help businesses keep to the ever-changing legislation rules, and show them how to cut costs by reducing waste.

If you are interested in becoming a WPA Volunteer, contact 01243 642106 or email info@bettertomorrows.org.uk