The resources here are specifically designed for use by campaigners and activists.
Private finance initiative (PFI) funding for waste infrastructure
(PDF† format - 324K) August 2008
This briefing explains how the PFI process is applied to big waste projects, the problems and opportunities associated with waste PFIs, and some possible ways to get involved with the process to achieve better outcomes.
Sorting residual waste
(PDF† format- 1659K) June 2008
A guide for councils to save money and help the environment by cutting back on residual waste, via increased recycling and reuse.
Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS)
(PDF† format- 170K) September 2007
This briefing outlines how LATS works and the best way for councils to meet these targets without incineration.
England's waste strategy: a guide to the current consultation
(PDF† format- 84K) April 2006
This briefing outlines the policies Friends of the Earth wanted to see included in the new England waste strategy, published in May 2007.
From waste to resource: a new strategy for 2005 (PDF† format - 358K) June 2005
This statement provides a number of policy recommendations for the Government during the review of Waste Strategy 2000. The statement has been agreed by a coalition of non-governmental environmental groups.
Biowaste: a guide for local campaigners
(PDF† format - 71K) March 2005
This briefing for local campaigners explains the policy context for local decisions about biowaste proposals. It sets out the main issues and explores what is known about the best environmental options. It should be read alongside Friends of the Earth's policy position on municipal biodegradable waste (the link above).
Hazardous waste
(PDF† format - 104K) January 2004
This paper looks at the issues we face in dealing with hazardous waste in the UK in light of the EU Landfill Directive, which bans co-disposal in landfill sites with non-hazardous waste from 2004.
Commercial and industrial waste
(PDF† format - 139K) January 2004
The commercial and industrial sector creates around 20 per cent of the UK's total waste. This briefing explores the challenges in dealing with this waste stream and initiatives to minimise waste production.
The way forward on waste
(PDF† format - 117K) January 2003
This is the new Friends of the Earth policy on municipal waste. It has been agreed following discussions between staff and local groups and gives our recommendations for the European Union, national government and local authorities.
Tackling waste in the English regions
(PDF† format - 165K) December 2002
Regional Waste Strategies are currently being written in all the English regions. This briefing outlines how the strategies should be developed to achieve effective and sustainable waste management.
Recycling: why it's important and how to do it (PDF† format - 283K) September 2008
This briefing explains the benefits of recycling and the best practice which councils should implement to improve doorstep collection schemes and maximise recycling rates.
Recycling collections - source separated or commingled?
(PDF† format - 177K) September 2008
This briefing outlines the advantages of separating recyclable materials at the kerbside in doorstep collection schemes.
Food waste collections
(PDF† format - 165K) September 2007
Separate food waste collections from households offer the biggest potential for improving recycling rates, meeting targets for reducing how much we landfill and reducing the pressure for new incinerators.
There is also a food waste action guide to lobby your council to introduce food waste collections.
Target recycling: aiming for 50 per cent and beyond (PDF† format - 450K) January 2005
This report looks at the impact of setting statutory recycling targets and puts forward Friends of the Earth recommendations for future targets and other policy measures to support high rates of recycling in the UK.
Maximising recycling rates - tackling residuals
(PDF† format - 175K) September 2002
This briefing outlines the key findings from research conducted for the Community Recycling Network on how we can maximise recycling rates from household waste and how we can best deal with the residuals, as we move towards zero waste in this sector.
Recycling: Can local authorities afford it?
(PDF† format - 53K) February 2002
It costs money to provide households with a quality doorstep recycling and composting service. This factsheet outlines the costs and assesses whether the money already provided by the government is enough.
Recycling works
August 1998
Substantial publication on the employment, economic and environmental benefits of improved resource use with a wide variety of case studies. Unfortunately, this publication is out of print. For a photocopy, please get in touch.
For resources to help you get involved with campaigns against incinerators in your local area please visit our Community site.
Up in smoke
(PDF† format - 190K) September 2007
This briefing looks at the reasons why Friends of the Earth opposes incineration, and covers the waste of natural resources, the effect on recycling and climate change and the pollution from air emissions and toxic ash.
Dirty truths: incineration and climate change (PDF† format - 755K) May 2006
This briefing investigates the climate impacts of energy from waste and residual waste treatment and shows that incinerators that produce electricity emit more greenhouse than gas fired power stations.
Incinerators and deprivation
(PDF† format - 128K) Jan 2004
Poorer communities tend to be hit hardest by environmental pollution, adding to the problems that people living in these areas face. This new research, which looks at the location of municipal waste incinerators in England, finds that these plants are often built in the most deprived wards.
Incinerator inquiries
(PDF† format - 154K) December 2002
This briefing is a review of three recent public inquiries and a judicial hearing all considering planning permission for municipal waste incinerators.
The safety of incinerator ash
(PDF† format - 104K) November 2002
This briefing is a review of an Environment Agency report, published in May 2002, following well publicised problems about the use of incinerator ash from incinerators in Edmonton, North London and Byker, Tyneside.
Incineration and health issues
(PDF† format - 198K) May 2002
This briefing is aimed at helping campaigners ensure that health issues are fully considered in any assessment of incineration.
How to win: Campaign against incinerators
September 2000
An introductory guide, updating and summarising information found in the Incineration Campaign Guide. It is available from Publications.
Incineration campaign guide
(PDF† format - 675K) December 1997
A comprehensive guide for campaigning against incineration. The 'How to Win: Campaign against incinerators' guide above updates and summarises information from this guide.
Mechanical and biological treatment (MBT)
(PDF† format - 178K) September 2008
This briefing examines the MBT process and explains the potential benefits and disadvantages of using this technology.
Autoclaving
(PDF† format - 233K) September 2008
Autoclaving involves the high-pressure sterilisation of waste by steam. This process is increasingly being proposed as a treatment for municipal waste.
Pyrolysis, gasification and plasma
(PDF† format - 148K) September 2008
Pyrolysis, gasification and plasma technologies are thermal processes that use high temperatures to break down waste. This briefing explains how these processes work and what their benefits and disadvantages are.
Anaerobic Digestion
(PDF† format - 101K) September 2007
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a treatment that composts biodegradable waste in the absence of oxygen, producing a biogas that can be used to generate 100% renewable electricity and heat.
New waste technologies
(PDF† format - 82K) September 2004
Waste disposal authorities are increasingly looking at new technologies to deal with waste other than landfill or incineration.This briefing offers guidance on the questions local campaigners should be asking when deciding whether to support new proposals.
Toxic tips
(PDF† format - 30K) February 1999
Friends of the Earth produced this briefing following the publication of research in 1998 which highlighted the dangers associated with toxic waste dumps. It outlines research into this issue and suggests how the public can get more information locally.
Landfill campaign guide
(PDF† format - 550K) June 1997
A comprehensive guide for campaigning against landfill.
Waste development frameworks
(PDF† format - 158K) May 2008
This guide provides advice on the new waste planning framework. It explains how best to engage with the new structure and summarises of Friends of the Earth's waste local planning policy.
This guide is part of the Community Rights Resource Pack, an accessible yet comprehensive set of campaigner guides written to help local people and communities get their voice heard in decisions which affect them.
PPS10: Planning for Sustainable Waste Management
(PDF† format - 53K) Nov 2005
This briefing note summarises the key differences between Planning Policy Statement 10 and previous planning guidance on waste and explains how to use PPS10 to influence what is happening on waste in your area.
Ghost fleet ships, toxicity and PCBs
(PDF† format - 159K) Dec 2003
This briefing explains why Friends of the Earth has described the ghost fleet vessels as toxic, with particular regard to PCBs and it outlines the environmental threats posed by these chemicals. It also outlines some of the legislation related to the transport of PCBs.
†To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.
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