London community group teams up with national organisations

But, the decision by the three to come together leaves out the Bristol-based national Community Recycling Network.

The new network looks set to have a bigger say within the sector and in putting forward views to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

From this week, the growing London Community Recycling Network (London CRN) – which already works outside of the capital; the expanding Furniture Re-use Network (FRN) and the Community Composting Network – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary; will work together to lobby government and help stakeholders.

” This tripartite agreement will enable us to act as a one stop shop for support services “
– Paul Smith, chief executive, FRN The “memorandum of understanding” will require each network to appoint a member to represent them on key issues and work together to promote sustainable waste management.

The scheme, says the three, is designed to avoid duplicated activities which the networks consider “have often sent confusing messages” and help them to reach larger audiences.

National

Vicki Kington, communications manager for the London CRN, said that while the organisation would work within the capital with the Furniture Reuse Network and the Community Composting network, “this will be a national thing”.

Ms Kington confirmed that the national Community Recycling Network organisation was not involved in the agreement, pointing out that the agreement would allow London CRN to “look at national issues,” adding, “we hope to extend the partnership further in future.”

Paul Smith, Furniture Reuse Network chief executive, said: “This tripartite agreement will enable us to act as a one stop shop for support services, contract brokerage and sector representation whilst maintaining each organisation's distinctive, specialist focus; sector accountability and independence.”

Mr Smith said: “It is important that we develop a complementary range of services and are able to speak with a united and coherent voice as our membership enters a critical phase in its development from marginal niche players to a substantial sector of professional local enterprises.”

Support

Nick McAllister, coordinator for the Community Composting Network, said: “It is better that we work together as a support network which in turn means we can better support needs of our members.”

Asked whether the national CRN might become part of the agreement, Mr McAllister said that he could “not rule out any possibility. We would want whatever is best for community groups.”

Direction

The national Community Recycling Network itself is seen as facing some questions as to its future direction with the growth of the London organisation and the work by the other two bodies. The national CRN, which has London-based ECT Recycling as its largest member and Newport Wastesaver in Wales, originally had members providing dry recyclable collection services.

In 2003 one of the original members, Avon Friends of the Earth saw its collection work collapse with substantial losses. Since then the community sector has seen local authorities running collection services with groups playing a more important role in furniture, composting and white goods. While the sector has increased activity in kerbside recycling, local authorities increasingly provide the service while organisations such as ECT now operate more as social businesses rather than community groups.

Andy Moore, national CRN coordinator, said: “We certainly welcome the agreement between the groups. I agree that the sector needs to clarify the voice with which it speaks and closer consultation between networks in due course.”