Through a programme of five workbooks, the 'Certificate in Recycling for Sustainability', offered by Middlesex University, aims to provide “a new qualification with benefits for the environment, the individuals who complete the programme and their employers”.
Small businesses don't talk about waste, they talk about recycling, and trying to move them on from that concept is very difficult
Stewart Anthony, CESMB
Focussing principally on waste minimisation and cost savings, it takes students through areas such as working out the waste costs for their business, waste legislation, supply chain issues and recycling, with the final aim of helping people to develop and implement a waste strategy for their place of work.
The work-based programme was formally launched yesterday (June 18) at London's Royal Automobile Club, following a four-year development process initiated by Wastepack, with support from organisations including LARAC, Defra, WRAP, Enviros and the Confederation of British Industry.
Planning for the course was started by Wastepack in 2004-05, with up to £200,000 being made available to finance a long-term project, and the company today announced it will be offering 10 bursaries for people looking to start the course as it is rolled out nationwide.
Delivered by the university's Centre for Environment and Safety Management for Business (CESMB), a trial of the programme has operated since July 2007 for small businesses in London, with funding from the London Development Agency allowing 160 people to undertake the course.
Speaking at yesterday's launch, Stewart Anthony, of the CESMB, outlined the purpose of the course. He said: “Small businesses don't talk about waste, they talk about recycling, and trying to move them on from that concept is very difficult, for example they don't understand the importance of waste reduction, they have no-one responsible for it.”
He added: “75% of all court cases bought against small firms directly or indirectly relate to waste management.”
However, while the trial of the course was focussed on small and medium-sized enterprises, the full course will be offered to businesses of all sizes, as Mike Beard of Wastepack explained.
“This is relevant to a lot of people in large companies as well,” he said. “Depots, offices etc are like small businesses in their own right and we're optimistic of a take up from them.”
Anyone who undertakes the course successfully will receive certification from Middlesex University which has been mapped out against the vocationally-related qualification, level 3, developed by CIWM and Defra, and the course is hoping to gain CIWM certification in the near future.
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