The Natural Resources Initiative encourages the counties to share best practice and work together to develop new approaches to recycling and the re-use of materials.
”By sharing examples of good practice with other counties and looking at what they are achieving, we can enhance the work going on here in Lancashire “
– Cllr Bernard Whittle, Lancashire CC
Senior managers from Hampshire have recently completed a fact-finding mission to the Lancashire Business Park at Leyland. The mission saw how the county's economic development company – Lancashire County Developments Ltd – works with the council's environment directorate to reduce the amount of waste material going to landfill.
Park
The economic development company owns the business park, which is located close to the M6, M61 and M65 motorways and has been chosen as the site for a new state-of- the-art Waste Technology Park. The Park will combine recycling and waste management facilities with a training centre that will disseminate skills and best practice to businesses, schools and community groups.
Cllr Bernard Whittle, who is a board member of Lancashire County Developments, said that the Natural Resources Initiative gives the county councils the opportunity of developing innovative approaches to recycling that will protect the environment.
“Preserving and re-using our resources has to be a priority for everyone. By sharing examples of good practice with other counties and looking at what they are achieving we can enhance the work going on here in Lancashire,” said Cllr Whittle.
He emphasised the value of promoting the practical skills and philosophy behind recycling and said: “We have a duty to educate and inform people about the best way to treat waste, and also to facilitate innovative and environmentally sound practices amongst local companies.
Edge
“Effective resource management is the way forward for all businesses and incorporating environmental and resource aware thinking into a company's business planning and ethos gives them an edge over their competitors,” Cllr Whittle said.
The Hampshire team also visited one of the business park tenants, Clive Hurt Plant Hire Ltd, which has developed a recycling operation that can separate materials from road resurfacing and other construction waste.
Managing director Clive Hurt said the business park has proved an ideal location since the company moved there in February last year. He explained that it had allowed the company room to develop workshops and storage facilities, and with easy access to motorway networks vehicles can avoid residential areas.
Benefits
“The benefits are immeasurable and I am sure that the commitment and energy of the county council will ensure the business park continues to evolve into a resource management centre of excellence,” said Mr Hurt.
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Hampshire’s County Supplies has set up a new waste collection and recycling contract for its customers – local schools and other public sector organisations – as part of the county council’s commitment to the Natural Resources Initiative.
The contract will set up a recyclables collection scheme for mixed newspapers, magazines, paper, cardboard, junk mail, cans and plastic bottles and is due to come into operation in April.
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