On 4th November, Women’s Environmental Network will launch the One World, Don’t Waste It briefing. The briefing is full of practical approaches to waste reduction and explores topics such as rubbish and health, junk mail, composting and packaging.

The briefing will be launched at the inaugural Beyond Recycling conference at Calne in Wiltshire, which is the largest of its kind in the UK to focus specifically on municipal waste prevention.

In the U.K we throw away 25.7 million tonnes of household rubbish annually¹. Every year this amount increases. Even if we reach the government’s recycling and recovery targets of 45% by 20102, we’re in the midst of a waste crisis.

Ann Link, Co-ordinator of the Women’s Environmental Network, is clear about the best way forward: "Waste prevention is a simple concept - it’s about using less in the first place so that we don’t create mountains of waste that then has to be recycled at a huge cost. Consumers will make better choices if they are better informed. Preventing waste can be as easy and convenient as throwing things away".

The Women’s Environmental Network encourages and enables individuals to consume differently and use their consumer power for a more sustainable future.

One World Don’t Waste It provides easy and effective ways to avoid waste today for a more sustainable tomorrow.

ENDS
For more information contact:
Deb Sansom, Waste Prevention Communications Officer on 020 7481 9004 (mobile 07766332801) or Charlotte Walker, Waste Prevention Officer on 020 7481 9004 (mobile 07929 205 529)
Email: wastecomms@wen.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Source: 1 DEFRA, Municipal Waste Management Survey 2001/2002, Chapter 2 - Household Waste Recycling Overview. 2 DEFRA, Waste Strategy 2000, Chapter 1- p 7.

2. Beyond Recycling 2003 is a joint initiative between the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Wiltshire County Council and DEFRA. If you would like more information about the conference please contact Catherine Sharples on 01380 725670 or visit the website at: www.beyondrecycling.net

3. For a copy of One World, Don’t Waste It, please visit: www.wen.org.uk (304k pdf) or send an S.A.E to WEN, PO Box 30626, London E1 1TZ.

4. WEN informs individuals, councils and other organisations about positive alternatives to wasteful products. Publications include Shared Advantage, a briefing for local authorities giving ideas and contacts for implementation of the Waste Minimisation Act, Stop Talking Rubbish, a guide to greening a social space, and Greener Ways for UK Holidays, a new briefing on how holiday-makers and tourism providers can reduce their impact on the environment.

5. WEN initiated the Waste Minimisation Act, which became law in November 1998. This act gives local authorities the power to promote waste prevention.