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CRN/AN/PR33
To be released immediately
The Community Recycling Network is calling for government funds to boost community initiatives and innovative projects instead of grants which reward low recycling rates.
The CRN claims that community sector recycling groups and high-performing local authorities will lose out in the next round of bids for the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund following DEFRA’s decision to allocate £45.9 million to low performing councils.
Doreen Fedrigo, chair of the CRN executive committee,
said:
“
“We
are disappointed that the government has decided to reward poor performing local
authorities. What message does that send to those authorities, and indeed community
delivery agents like our members, who have been making the effort and leading
the way?
“We should also be aiming for higher and brighter beacons
in recycling, leading
the way towards exceeding the government’s statutory recycling targets. Some of tThis
money should be targeted towards improving the knowledge base and service delivery
in those areas where we have already seen an enthusiastic response to the challenges
set by the government.”
ENDS
Notes for editors:
The Community Recycling Network is a national umbrella organisation for more than 300 community groups, co-operatives and not-for-profit businesses in the community waste sector. Its aim is to promote community-based recycling as the most effective way of tackling the UK’s growing waste problem. Its members have achieved some of the highest recycling rates in the UK and offer separated kerbside recycling collections to 1.6 million households – seven per cent of the UK population.
NB. A
new and useful profile of the sector and its work can be found in The Quiet
Revolution compiled by the Shell Better Britain Campaign and released recently.
The Community Recycling Network is based at Trelawny House, Surrey Street, Bristol, BS2 8PS, tel: (0117) 942 0142, fax: (0117) 908 0225, www.crn.org.uk.
For further information:
Andy Nelmes, Press Officer, (0117) 908 0415, andyn@crn.org.uk