1. 1 Environmental Services Training Group LOCAL AUTHORITY ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE 2015 Protecting Our Environment Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, May 2015.

2. Protecting Our Environment Reuse Opportunities Jean Clarke Technical/Scientific Policy Advisor DECLG

3. What is Reuse? Defined in the Waste Framework Directive ( WFD) as follows:- “reuse’ means any operation by which products or components that are not waste are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived” ( Article 3) “preparing for reuse’ means checking, cleaning or repairing recovery operations, by which products or components of products that have become waste are prepared so that they can be reused without any other pre-processing” ( Article 3)

4. Legislative Background  Reuse is a waste prevention activity and not a waste management activity so not subject to waste legislation  Preparing for reuse is a waste activity as the materials in question have become waste. Examples for preparing for re-use comprise repairing bicycles, furniture, or electrical or electronic equipment which have been previously discarded by their owners.

5. National Policy  The areas of reuse and opportunities for preparation for reuse will be encouraged and promoted through the renewed NWPP, the environmental awareness work of local authorities, the Producer Responsibility Initiative compliance schemes and the enterprise support agencies. This will build on existing examples of reuse websites such as SMILE and freetrade Ireland, which facilitate the reuse of unwanted goods between businesses and between members of the public.  The Producer Responsibility Initiative review will examine the issue of a Reuse Policy for Electrical and Electronic Equipment and other Producer Responsibility Initiative sectors and will make recommendations which will inform short-term policy development to support further progress in this area.  A Public sector Reuse Policy will be developed in consultation with the national Procurement service and other relevant bodies, to ensure that public sector organisations give full consideration to feasible reuse options before embarking on the purchase of new goods. This reflects the very clear leadership role of the public sector in the development of a sustainable economy, as highlighted in Our sustainable future – A framework for sustainable Development in Ireland and the Green Tenders Action Plan on Green Public Procurement.

6. New Regional Waste Plans  The policy is to establish reuse, repair, and preparing for reuse activities and networks to recirculate and extend the lifespan of items by  Engaging with and facilitating enterprises in the development of repair and preparing for reuse activities  Reviewing the operation of CA sites to facilitate the segregation of materials for reuse at local authority controlled civic amenity sites (WEEE will be considered subject to discussion and agreement with the compliance schemes).  Engage with the Community Reuse Network (CRN) and other similar networks to develop a network of reuse / upcycling activities and promotional events.

7. Action on the Ground

8. Barriers  Access to funding : social enterprises are involved in reuse, are not paid for the environmental work they do  Access to materials: CA sites  Access to markets: €€€ - difficulty in moving products to the mainstream  Access to trainers/skilled workers €€€ - workers often are on schemes that end once they are trained  Understandings about reuse and attitudes about reuse

9. Smile Resource Exchange  Free service for business that encourages the exchanging of resources between members in order to save money, reduce waste going to landfill and to develop new business opportunities  Potential exchanges are identified through networking events, online exchange facility  Support team

10. Rediscovery Centre  Research & Education (2005)  Rediscover Furniture (2006)  Rediscover Paint (2007)  Rediscover Fashion (2008)  Rediscover Business  Recycabike (2010)  Ecostore (2010)  Boiler House 2013 - 2016

11. Community Reuse Network  An umbrella body representing community- based organisations involved in reuse activities  All-island All-Ireland organisation  Funded by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  Enhancing local economies  Helping to build reuse markets  Providing advice and information to policy makers  Conducting reuse projects and research

12. Reuse Potential  Rx3 Bulky study revealed sufficient number of good quality items available for reuse organisations to collect and reuse  Preferred model Preferred reuse option - items for reuse segregated by CA/HWRC staff and collected by a third party reuse specialist for sale off site Pilot study demonstrated that the preferred option was easily implemented – low cost, least effort (€2,250/£1,775)  Employment / training opportunities

13. Reuse Protocol – Research Project  Aims to produce overarching protocols for both post consumer materials and post manufacturing materials that could feed into an overarching framework for waste reuse in Ireland.  Will look at some waste specific protocols in each category.  Seeks to present a framework that will allow anyone or any organisation to determine if an item is suitable for reuse and will put in place template documents that can be completed to document the material assessment and the reuse transaction.

14. Resource Exchange Protocol  Good Practice Guide  Central source of information  Framework of rules / code of best practice  Set minimum industry standards  Practical tool to assist industry  Increase reuse opportunities  Prevent waste  Support green growth  User Factsheets

15. WEEE Reuse  In order to be approved by the WEEE Register Society, organisations must have:- relevant waste permits, UK PAS 141 Accreditation/Certificate product indemnity insurance, warranty confirmation declared that residual WEEE arising from the P4R process is returned to the WEEE Compliance Scheme that is was sourced from declared that records of WEEE P4R are sent to the WRS.

16. Wiser Project  Develop a prototype "3D textbook" to promote positive behavioural change with regard to resource management and efficiency.  Present a new concept in educational space highlighting the ability to incorporate active learning through building design, construction, operation and occupation thereby defining the building as pedagogical tool.  Demonstrate best practice in waste reuse and preparation for reuse.  Contribute to the EU’s body of knowledge sharing experience gained relating to the implementation of resource efficiency response measures and innovations.  Demonstrate interventions which have genuine potential for replication on a European scale.

17. Wiser Project “Vision - Create an innovative centre demonstrating excellence in reuse at every level of interaction, supported by an eco-cluster of resource efficient enterprises and complemented by a suite of environmental education, training and research programmes will support the development of a low carbon society where waste reuse plays a pivotal role in signposting the direction towards a resource efficient Europe.”

18. Funding Opportunities from Life  resource-efficient, low-carbon and climate-resilient economy; protecting and improving the environment; maintaining and improving biodiversity, ecosystems and, in particular, the Natura 2000 network  improving the development, implementation and enforcement of Union environmental and climate policy and legislation  integrating and mainstreaming of environmental and climate objectives into other Union policies  improving environmental and climate governance  the implementation of the 7th Environment Action Programme

19. Life – Traditional Projects For whom?  Mainly SME, NGO, public administrations active in the field of environment and climate protection For what?  Pursuit of general and specific objectives of the 6 priority areas.  Within sub-programme for environment: additional focus on thematic priorities and on project topics (LIFE MAWP 2014-2017) (sub-programme for CA – no project topics) Average indicative size?  1 to 5 beneficiaries; EU contribution: €500,000 to €1.5m, 3 to 5 years …but larger and longer projects possible

20. Life Project Themes - Reuse  Projects using innovative methods, technologies, and actions primarily at the waste source for waste prevention, reuse, and separate collection of municipal waste  Projects using innovative methods, technologies and actions primarily at the waste source for the prevention, preparation for reuse/reuse, recycling and separate collection of the following waste streams: - WEEE, batteries and accumulators, ELVs, packaging, construction and demolition waste and medical waste - biowaste including food waste throughout the food chain  Projects implementing the circular economy concept through actions spanning value chain or ensuring the use of secondary resources/scrap materials/ wastes in other industries or value chains ( eco design, remanufacture, reuse etc)

21. Acknowledgements  Colleagues in the DECLG, rx3, the community reuse network, and Rediscovery Centre for material included in the presentation.