WRAP has announced that it will deliver a ‘new approach’ to training Recycling Managers at local authority, social enterprise and private business levels in Spring, which will see local authorities (except for those in Scotland) have to pay for the scheme.
From 1 April 2013, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) will be responsible for delivering the training programme, which has been run by WRAP since 2002. WRAP will continue to play an 'advisory role' in the training scheme.
According to Linda Crichton, Head of Collections and Quality at WRAP, though the training will no longer be offered to local authorities free of charge, there will be a bursary scheme set up to reduce course costs.
“We indicated as part of our new four-year business plan in 2011 that our intention would be to pass on the responsibility for delivering the highly-respected Recycling Managers Training Programme to another organisation”, explained Crichton.
“The time is right to make that change, and we’re confident that UCLan is well-placed to take on that role, and will continue to deliver high-quality training.
“While it will no longer be possible for the training to be offered to local authorities free of charge, given the financial pressures local authorities face, particularly at the moment, WRAP has set up a bursary scheme with UCLan. This will provide 75 per cent of course fees for local authority delegates, and will be administered by UCLan.”
In the meantime, WRAP and UCLan have developed a new set of distance learning materials which will help ‘reduce course costs and increase training accessibility for delegates’.
UCLan’s training programme will fit within the university’s Continuing Professional Development workshops and postgraduate teaching provision within the Centre for Waste Management (CWM) in the School of Built and Natural Environment.
Recycling Managers training for local authorities in Scotland will still be free.
Read more about WRAP training courses and the new programme.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.