New technologies: The supporter programme
Study tours
The supporter programme is able to offer Local Authorities assistance in the organisation and technical support for UK and european study tours to see working examples of the new waste technologies proposed in the UK to assist with the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill. Key to these tours is the impartiality of the information that the officers and members receive which essentially removes any commercial spin and gives true facts on the process and risks involved.
UK tours will visit the demonstration plants (as funded under the demonstrator element of the new technologies work stream). For further information on these tours please contact the helpline.
EU study tours
These are offered as two and a half day tours to see up to four waste treatment technologies that are either unavailable in the UK or only available on a limited scale. State of the art energy from waste plants can also be included to provide the full picture of potential waste management solutions.
Each tour is tailored to the individual local authority’s requirements and tours can be arranged that either look at a wide range of technologies (for those in the early stages of the decision making process) or focus on a specific new waste treatment technology.
Briefings on the technologies will be given prior to the visit and on the visit itself. Presentations are given on the specific sites and where possible the programme will bring in local politicians, officers or independent experts from the host country to provide an overview on the site and technology including the background, costs, planning, markets for outputs and opponents/conflicts.
A WIP manager from Defra will be present on the tour and this presents an added dimension to the discussions, receiving first hand information on developments in Defra on strategy, policy and other support mechanisms such as funding.
To assist in the organisation of these study tours the supporter programme can offer the following support:
- Organisation of the appropriate sites and itineraries to suit your authority
- Impartial technical assistance for the visit
- Logistical assistance for your party whilst on the trip, this includes organisation and funding for minibus/coach hire (internal travel) for two day
- Each authority would fund and book their own travel, insurance and accommodation expenses, however we would identify the hotel and appropriate flights
- Attendance at post study tour meetings to present the information from the trio to those who were unable to see the technologies first hand
Criteria for Supporter Assistance
Support will only be offered if the disposal authority can meet the criteria set out below:
1. Delegates should include a mix of senior officers from waste, finance, planning and authority members. A representative of the districts would be encouraged if the WDA is in a two tier area. It is strongly recommended that the key decision makers in the process are present on the trip.
2. The authority should be able to demonstrate the need for the trip as part of the implementation of a BMW Diversion Strategy
To date the programme has taken 6 authorities to Europe to visit a number of different new waste technologies.
If your authority would like further information on the assistance that the programme can offer for EU study tours please contact the helpline on wastetech@enviros.com or 0870 240 9894.
Page published: 5 June 2006