EFN Autumn Lunch Local and global 11 th October 2011 Shlomo Dowen UKWIN National Coordinator

UKWIN United Kingdom Without Incineration Network Founded in March 2007 with the support of Friends of the Earth and The Ecology Trust Local: UKWIN helps 80+ local grassroots groups develop the case against waste incineration and positively engage with the planning system National: UK-wide movement (community of interest) for sustainable waste management European / Global: Part of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA)

Today’s audience We’re not all “waste geeks” We are all committed to creating positive environmental change We care about equitable and sustainable resource use We know that prudent resource use  waste reduction & increased recycling and composting Treating discards as resources  zero waste

UKWIN’ing In addition to community-building & local wins: “Local”  “more than local”, e.g. traffic impacts  ash disposal impacts / POPs / Climate Change, etc. Critiquing Government and industry claims  UKWIN is positioned as arbiter of the validity of these claims – sought out by media (e.g. mainstream and waste trade press) Having made gains with argument that incineration is not needed for waste management, the discourse is shifting to energy generation and climate change Helped influence the tone and content of Gov’t Waste Review – move towards zero waste mindset

How do we do it? Networking! Connecting the dots  Greater than sum of parts Collaboration between our members, e.g. gathering and sharing detailed local information (fact-finding, research) Working with other organisations, e.g. FoE (Resource Use, Rights & Justice), Environmental Law Foundation Exercising our rights & posing the right questions, e.g. Environmental Information Reg’s; Audit; Consultations Empowering people who otherwise would not be involved, or where involvement wouldn’t be as effective Linking the “very local” to the “very global”

Linking “very local” to “very global” Most members becoming active for first time: I’m the one explaining planning system, breaking news that campaigns often last for years (and health arguments do not win), reassuring: they’re not alone (local/natl/global) Advocacy for environmental justice – levelling playing field (somewhat), e.g. mediating with a Planning Officer; fact-checking draft; providing witness for an inquiry Connecting local people to neighbours, and to bigger worlds, e.g. access to national and international expertise; support / solidarity standing up to trans- national corp’s, e.g. with unions in America v. Covanta

More… Questions now Chat during / after lunch Beyond today: ukwin.org.uk (01623)

Why UKWIN opposes incineration The incineration of household waste: depresses recycling and wastes resources, releases greenhouse gasses, and is often forced through against strong public opposition. Instead of promoting zero waste, incinerators rely for feedstock on material that should be recycled or composted. Incinerators create toxic emissions and hazardous ash, and therefore pose significant health risks. Alternatives to incineration are cheaper, more flexible, quicker to implement and better for the environment. Rather than incinerating waste, local authorities should focus on maximising recycling and providing a weekly separate food waste collection for treatment by composting or anaerobic digestion (AD). Recyclables and biodegradables should be separated from the small amount of residue material. This residue should be stabilised by composting and then sent to landfill.