BOP at the Top...

A New Waste Strategy !

RLCL has been working with The Borough of Poole since September 2001 assisting them in the development of a sustainable integrated waste management strategy.

The Borough has been set the highest recycling and composting performance standards of 33% recycling by 2003/04 and 40% by 2005/06.  Our task was therefore to develop a waste strategy that would met and exceed these targets and provide sustainable waste disposal solutions for the future.

Led by Richard McAree, the RLCL team undertook to develop the Waste Strategy in three key stages:-

• Information gathering;

• Waste modelling and draft report;

• Extensive consultation. 

The information gathering involved analysing a large volume of data provided by the Borough, including waste analysis, waste volumes, previous consultation and current service details.  In addition to this we spent time on site studying current refuse collection and recycling operations and facilities.

Once all the necessary information had been received and evaluated it allowed us to formulate models based on levels of participation and recovery that would achieve the statutory recycling targets.

These models allowed us to suggest the type and cost of collection systems and recycling schemes the Council would need to implement.  The Council recognised the importance of gaining public support in making the waste strategy succeed. Working closely together, RLCL and the Council developed and carried out an extensive consultation programme ranging from newspaper articles, leaflets, questionnaires and web site information to a series of public and Council committee presentations delivered by Richard McAree and Len Attrill.

The great news is that having taken on board public views and made appropriate amendments, the Waste Strategy was ratified by the Council in September 2002.