The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has confirmed that its WasteSupport service now has 320 site users of which 100 are local authorities.
The CIWM previously said it was “pleased” with how its WasteSupport service has progressed
Now showing 291 services listings, this marks an increase from the last update on 27 April, when the Waste Support service had 277 registered users and 277 listings, up
Details of some confirmed ‘matches’ are expected to be released by CIWM soon.
Pandemic
Waste Support links the private sector with local authorities facing crew shortages and challenges amid the coronavirus pandemic. The service launched to aid local authorities with service disruption to collections such as garden waste and some recycling services.
Pat Jennings; head of policy at the CIWM
Many local authorities have since announced service resumptions and HWRC reopenings after weeks of disruptions, although the latest survey from the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) showed a 5% fall in the number of councils running recycling services with no disruptions.
‘Pleased’
Head of policy, knowledge and external affairs at CIWM, Pat Jennings told letsrecycle.com: “We’re pleased with the amount of people who signed up, we’re pleased with the number of listings, and we have gone in and added additional categories as we’ve seen pinch points appear in the market.
“Where there has been evidence that additional capacity might be needed, we’ve added categories onto the platform to allow for people to flag up that they have capacity in that area. One of those was dry mixed recyclables off-take.”
She continued: “In depth surveys show that local authorities have really done an outstanding job in keeping those services going. Local authorities signed up to the platform to make sure they know it’s there and that they signed up if they need it, which is exactly what we wanted them to have and make sure they had that contingency. We wanted to create the platform, and make sure it worked for everyone and make sure resources were there if they needed it.”
‘Effective’
Jenny Watts of UROC
The private sector has assisted local authorities by increasing capacity and assisting in staff shortages.
UROC has said the Waste Support system has been “effective and worthwhile”, however is an “emergency provision” measures permitted in the regulations.
Jenny Watts from UROC said: “As independent and SME waste operators, UROC’s members were especially well placed to offer extra capacity and help to local authorities. It is unclear how many local authorities have reached out to the private sector to fill gaps in service, but certainly some operators have been able to assist.”
Ms Watts said she considers it “a great tool, as its straightforward to enter details for a listing and is easy to navigate”. But as it exists due to ‘emergency provision’ measures permitted in the regulations, the usual procurement rules will apply post Covid-19, hence the shelf life is limited, but nonetheless has been effective and worthwhile in her view.
Supporters
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs encouraged the development of the platform. Official supporters include the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT), Environmental Services Association (ESA), Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), London Waste & Recycling Board (LWARB), United Resource Operators Consortium (UROC) and WRAP.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
