The reception was held in Westminster to formerly recognise the efforts of the NWAI board in spearheading the first national waste awareness campaign for local authorities, retailers and the waste sector.
”The NWAI is to be congratulated on the effective role it has played in promoting waste awareness. “
– Elliot Morley
Set up in 1996, the NWAI aimed to secure government funding and intiate an effective national waste awareness campaign. The NWAI launched the Rethink Rubbish campaign in May 2002, which has since been adopted by over 300 local authorities to bring the recycling message to householders across the UK.
Monday's reception in Parliament marked the formal transfer of the Rethink Rubbish campaign to the responsibility of WRAP following the winding up of the NWAI last year.
Speaking at the reception, Mr Morley said: “The promotion of waste awareness issues to the public plays a vital role in the drive to deal with out rubbish in a more sustainable way. The NWAI is to be congratulated on the effective role it has played in promoting waste awareness to the consumer and its successes will be an inspiration for future activity.”
Achievements
Bob Lisney, who chaired the NWAI, said: “The achievements of the NWAI and the successes of the Rethink Rubbish campaign is a positive illustration of what can be achieved by adopting a consistent and cross sectoral approach to waste awareness.”
WRAP took on the national responsibility for waste awareness in April 2003 following the government's response to the Strategy Unit's waste review. The Banbury-based agency was allocated 16.5 million funding by DEFRA, 500,000 of which has gone to continue the Rethink Rubbish campaign this year.
Jennie Price, WRAP chief executive, commented: “The NWAI's legacy will make an important contribution in helping WRAP maintain momentum and and deliver its future waste awareness programmes.”
 The NWAI board with environment minister Elliot Morley Back Row (left to right): Gareth Morton, Tony Hammond, Elliot Morley MP, Bob Lisney, Jos Tantram Front Row (left to right): Garth Ward, Jane Bickerstaffe, Jane Beasley, Andy Ainsworth |
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