10/5/2002

CRN/AN/PR28                                                            To be released immediately

crn and larac sign historic agreement

An historic agreement to build stronger links between the community recycling sector and local authorities will be signed at the Community Recycling Network’s (CRN) 13^th annual conference.

The CRN chair, Andy Cunningham, and the chair of the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), Janet Westmoreland, will be signing a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations at the start of the conference’s Local Authority Day on Wednesday, May 29.

The memorandum has been drawn up to encourage local waste authorities and the community sector to work together more closely and work towards aspirations set out in the government’s Waste Strategy.

“This is good news,” says Andy Cunningham,-US>“This is good news,” says Andy Cunningham, the CRN chair. “It is important that we work in concert to achieve common goals. It makes sense for our sectors to share information and progress strategies to achieve the best for environment and community.”

Janet Westmoreland, chair of LARAC, says:

“I am delighted to be signing the memorandum of understanding between both our organisations. It is good to put a formal context to our joint aims and recognise the fact that the contribution made to recycling by thecommunity sector is crucial to achieving the recycling standards. There are many examples of local authority and community sector partnerships, which together achieve greater success than they could do alone. This document recognises the value of such partnerships."

The memorandum will allow the CRN and LARAC to build upon and enhance their current relationship through consultation and co-operation.

It states that the CRN and LARAC agree to work together in a positive spirit towards the targets set out for local authorities in the waste strategies. They will work together to obtain best value in sustainable waste management and maximise community participation in waste minimisation and materials recovery.

The two organisations have agreed to share information, within the constraints of data protection, and, where appropriate, consult each other on nationwide proposals and initiatives. Regular liaison meetings will be held to maintain and improve communication.

ENDS

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:

The memorandum of understanding between the Community Recycling Network and the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee will be signed at 10am on Wednesday, May 29 at the 13^th annual CRN conference being held at the Paragon Hotel, 145 Alcester Street, Birmingham B12 0PJ. (Contact no: 07767 866077 – on day of event only).

Notes for editors:

The Community Recycling Network is the 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 1.5 million households – six per cent of the UK population.

For further information: Andy Nelmes, CRN press officer, (0117) 908 2405, andyn@crn.org.uk Community Recycling Network, Trelawny House, Surrey Street, Bristol, BS2 8PS, tel: (0117) 942 0142. www.crn.org.uk.