There must have been an easier way of starting a kerbside recycling project, but we found the hard way. It was a long grind, but the project is now up and running Our voluntary sector group commenced life as a Local Agenda 21 discussion group, set up by a local authority Director, specifically to give credence to the consultation bit of 'Best Value' in such areas as waste and recycling – it was in fact a tame focus group. There were to be four such groups, in different environmental areas; three got off the ground, but only the 'Waste and Energy Conservation Topic Group' actually flew. And, when it did, it found its flight too restricted by mere discussion – the members attracted by the thought of improving the local environment found that they wanted to be able to act. This, they soon realised, required funding, which required a formally constituted organisation.

Tackling Bureaucracy

At a public meeting in March 2000, the Torfaen Environmental Trust (TET) was born with myself as secretary and technical advisor. Its intention was to become both a charity and an Environmental Body (EB) registered with Entrust (in order to tap Landfill Tax Credit Funding). Aah, such delusions! We quickly found that the Charity Commission had reservations about environmental objectives being suitable for charitable status; and a group composed largely of local government politicians and officers was unacceptable as an EB. We persisted on both fronts, however, and after negotiation decided that a second body designed to be Entrust-friendly was the quickest way towards an EB.

With membership in common with TET, but a different constitution and committee, the Torfaen Environmental Association (TEA) was founded in mid-2000, and registered with Entrust by late autumn, with advice and assistance from the regional Entrust office. Advances had been made to a local landfill operator, at what turned out to be an opportune moment, and early in 2001 Landfill Tax Credit Scheme (LTCS) funding was actually agreed for a recycling scheme that was, at that time, in a very preliminary state.

Some months later, the Charity Commission relented and helped TET to achieve charitable status (entailing more work, of course, including convening a Special General Meeting to amend the constitution). Ideas

Throughout this bureaucratic process, the ideas of the TET and TEA members were taking shape. Arising from a brainstorming session, sub-groups were formed to investigate Composting, Kerbside Recycling, and a Householders Recycling Directory. This generated more bureaucracy Ð in all, five lots of meeting notices, agendas, minutes, reports. The acquisition of LTCS funds gave a great impetus to action, and it was decided that the Kerbside Collection project was to be the focus for these funds Ð providing boxes to householders for storing recyclables, which are collected fortnightly by a special vehicle, bulked into large skips and sold to merchants or re-processors. The need was apparent to all, not least the local authority managers, who were becoming very concerned at the low level of recycling, and were casting around for cheap ways of improving the position.

Gaining Strength

The group strengthened gradually all the time, with a core of dedicated (but practical) environmentalists giving increasing time to the project. Another strength was that, having been initially charged with responsibility for servicing the Local Agenda 21 group, and then secretaryship of the Trust, I retired from full-time work, and was able to continue and increase my work with the group as secretary / consultant. I am a chartered engineer and waste manager, with experience in waste management and recycling, and well experienced in project management. Some expertise is necessary, either from volunteers or bought in.

Funding

Funding was exercising the group at this time. The first tranch of LTCS funding received was not sufficient to fund the whole 4-year pilot project, and the local authority was not in a position to guarantee funding. European Objective 1 was an obvious solution, and many happy hours were spent investigating this Ð all to no avail. The group is still at a loss to know what Objective 1 funding is meant to be for, and who gets it.

So how to proceed? Working step by step, with advice from several quarters the project took shape. Examples of successful schemes were assessed, a business plan was developed, Entrust project approval obtained. Although there was inherent unease from some officers at the thought of working with the voluntary sector, a partnership document (incorporating a simple service level agreement) was eventually agreed with the local authority, which included a payment per tonne for recyclate collected. A second tranch of LTCS money meant that the scheme could commence on a the basis of a 1-year trial; the local authority would assess continuing support during that period (i.e., a pilot of a pilot!)

A further major step was the formation of a not-for-profit company, seen as essential to separate the operation from the EB. This proved easier that envisaged, but of course added yet another layer of meetings, reports, accounts.

Action

Detailed planning then commenced, and at this point I was retained more permanently as part-time Project Implementation Manager. Aware of criticism that voluntary groups are not always sensitive to seeking Best Value, we did obtain competitive quotations for vehicles, boxes, and all the other goods and services required. The local authority assisted in kind in several ways, procuring skips and offering premises. Staff requirements were identified (a modest two drivers, one part-time administrator), and job centre advertisements proved sufficient to attract good applicants. A multitude of minor problems were addressed, from insurances to audit procedures, vehicle acquisition to health & safety considerations.

Progress was not smooth, but was maintained close to the original programme, and I insisted on a weekly, in-depth, working group meeting, to monitor progress very closely.

Collections commenced in mid-June, and summer has seen the recycling team climb a steep learning curve, with quantities of cans, glass bottles, newspaper and textiles collected now close to target levels. Winter will no doubt bring its own problems, but we are nevertheless planning extension of the operation to other areas, and expansion of the collection to the business sector. Recently, I have even been able to take a few days leave!

For their valuable assistance, thanks particularly must go to Newport Wastesavers, Cylch (the Wales Recycling Network), and Torfaen local authorities – including three very supportive Community Councils.