GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO `WASTE NOT, WANT NOT'
The government has finally produced its long awaited response to the Strategy Unit (SU) report `Waste Not Want Not' and put forward a course of action towards more sustainable management of waste.  The response has addressed all the recommendations raised in the SU report demonstrating a clear commitment by the government, however a number of issues have been relegated to ongoing studies and are pending further review.  The response has provided clarification on the responsibilities of key stakeholders, in particular WRAP and their extended role, which now takes in the development of waste minimisation schemes, a kerbside task force, and an education and awareness programme.  Full copies of the report can be downloaded from www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/review/index.htm.
The press release from CIWM can be found on www.ciwm.co.uk/pageSection/section_id=0000017/ses=W3_FF_B5_F3_A3_u0152/goto_article_id=84244

WRAP RESPONSE TO GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
Stemming the Rising Tide of Waste was how WRAP headlined their press release in relation to the Government's response to the SU report.  WRAP have provided detail on their new programme of work and have produced fact sheets on: kerbside best practice and organics market development; waste awareness programme; and waste minimisation programme, summarising the key features of these new programmes. The press release and fact sheets can be found on www.wrap.org.uk/news_detail.asp?NewsID=258

PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY: CALL FOR EVIDENCE
The Parliamentary Sustainable Waste Group is currently undertaking a research project into the strategic issues and the sectoral and regional impacts of Producer Responsibility legislation in the UK.  The project is focused on a retrospective analysis of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations and a prospective examination of the forthcoming regulations on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and End of Life Vehicles. The Group is seeking evidence, which may be in the form of academic papers, consultancy reports or policy responses, from stakeholders across the waste community.  The deadline for submissions is May 23rd 2003.  For further information please contact Mark Dempsey, Project Manager on 020 7723 5562 or e-mail mark.dempsey@pswg.org.uk.

DEFRA LAUNCHES 3 YEAR STRATEGY
The Departments priority areas have been outlined for the next three years , and includes promotion of more sustainable management of waste, reiterating the statutory recycling targets set for 2005/06. Full copies of the report can be downloaded from www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/strategy/0306/index.htm

BATTERY RECYCLERS PLUG HIGH EU TARGETS
The EU needs strong mandatory battery recycling targets to avoid losing accumulated recycling expertise, according to the European battery recycling association, a group of 11 mainly French and Belgian
firms.  The group is among the first to reply to a renewed European Commission consultation on revising the EU batteries directive (ED www.environmentdaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=13932).
For consumer batteries the group proposes targets in the upper reaches of a range suggested by the Commission.  Ebra also says public awareness campaigns should be funded by a surcharge on new battery
sales.  See Ebra position paper on www.environmentdaily.com/docs/30305b.doc

NEW GIS SYSTEM WILL CUT TRANSPORT TO WASTE MANAGEMENT SITES
A new geographical information system (GIS) being developed by construction research organisation BRE's Waste and Environmental Body (BREWEB) and funded by Biffaward through landfill tax credits plus a donation from the ICE, is soon to be launched which will allow firms in the construction and demolition industries to reduce their transport of bulky waste by locating the nearest most suitable waste management site.  The system will be web based, and will be launched in June at the Institution of Civil Engineers' annual conference in Belfast. For more information visit www.smartwaste.co.uk.

MAKING WASTE WORK - ONE-DAY WASTE MINIMISATION WORKSHOP
The Environment Council is running a one day workshop - Making Waste Work, supported by the RMC Environment Fund & Partnered by Bristol City Council at The CREATE Centre, Bristol on
25 June 2003.  This one day workshop presents an overview of waste minimisation focusing on the benefits to be gained and implementation techniques, and aims provide the necessary knowledge and understanding to enable delegates to start improving their own organisation's waste efficiency and reducing waste at source.  For more details, please contact Jane at the Environment Council on 020 7632 0138, or email janed@envcouncil.org.uk

NORTH EAST CENTRE OPEN MEETING
The above meeting will be held at The Corner, Scarborough on Friday 23rd May 2003. The meeting will include presentations on Kerbside Collection of Recyclables and PFI in Waste Management. For Further details contact John Skidmore jskidmore@wakefield.gov.uk

ACT NOW OR PAY LATER: MANAGING YOUR WASTE LEGALLY & RESPONSIBLY, 4TH JUNE 2003, JOHN MADEJSKI LECTURE THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OR READING
The above seminar organised by The Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium in association with The Environmental Association of Universities & Colleges and CIWM London & Southern Counties Centre will address the issues and costs associated with waste disposal.  The seminar will include presentations on Waste Legislation, Waste Management Tenders and specific case studies. For further information contact Anne Holland a.Holland@reading.ac.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NEW GENERATION GROUP MEETING
Tuesday 20,May 2003, at Harborough District Council Offices, 18.00 - 21.00.
All welcome to join us for an informative evening. Further information and if you wish to attend please e-mail your details to j.adams@harborough.gov.uk

LATEST BEST VALUE INSPECTION REPORTS PUBLISHED BY AUDIT COMMISSION
Below are relevant waste management related Best Value reports (derived from info4local.gov.uk & Best Value Inspections site) published by the Audit Commission last week:~
7 May 2003 - Streetcare - Mid Suffolk District Council
7 May 2003 Waste Management and Environmental Services - Mid Bedfordshire District Council
See www.audit-commission.gov.uk/subject.asp?CatID=ENGLISH^LG^SUBJECT^LG-ENVIRON