The increasing legislative burden on disposal to landfill, combined with increasing environmental awareness among businesses in the region is starting to drive the diversion of material from landfill toward alternative recovery or recycling technologies. 
 
As well as promoting waste and resource efficiency, we commissioned, under the direction of a steering group of regional partners, a study into the level of recycling activity in the region and a comprehensive economic assessment of the market place for recyclers. Download the report here: Appraisal of Recyclate Market Development Programme (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 773.97kb) 
 
In order to ensure any intervention in the market place is fully justified, and that our resources are most efficiently used, the study has identified where there are market failures, and how our intervention can assist with the transition away from landfill reliance. 
 
The key sectors currently identified for focus in the Recyclate Market Development Programme are:

• Organic wastes
• Plastics

We have worked closely with partners such as WRAP and NISP within the waste sector to analyse the report's findings and develop a plan of action to implement value adding market development activity for the plastics and biodegradable sectors. 
 
This has included the production of a directory of funding support services for businesses operating in the organic waste sector, which brings together information on regional and national initiatives into one easily accessible document. Download the directory here: Directory of Support Services for the Organic Waste Sector in South West England (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 710.71kb) 
 
We have also completed a scoping study looking at the recyclate market for plastics and are working with our partners on how to take its recommendations forward. Download the study: South West England Plastics Scoping Study (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 877.90kb) 
 
For further information please contact Waste Adviser Ben Powis on 01392 229383.