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Planit-WASTE in the Northwest and West Midlands

The Need

Waste has become one of the most important issues affecting the communities of the UK and indeed Europe. Disposing of our waste to landfill without any concerns for the environment is simply not an option anymore. With all local authorities facing stringent targets for increasing the volume of waste that can be recycled and reducing the amount that goes to landfill sites, many are working together to work on long-term strategies to achieve the targets. To help support this process WM RIEP engaged pixelfountain to deliver a programme of workshops using its Planit-WASTE learning-simulation.

Planit-Waste has also been delivered has a programme across the Northwest of England - the

Programme was funded by Defra and sponsored by the Merseyside waste Disposal Authority.

Our approach builds an understanding of the subject,

at the same time as developing collaborative working.

The Solution

Planit-WASTE is structured around a Learning Simulation (computer-based resource management

model) and helps decision makers. It raises awareness of the serious waste management problems facing us over the next 5-15 years.

The project focuses on improving long-term decision-making and partnership building particularly between Local Authorities, Waste Collection Authorities (WCA) and Waste Disposal Authorities (WDA). Crucially, PlanitWASTE is linked to the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATs) and focuses on improved performance for Local authorities.

Simulations in workshops allow delegates to test their thinking and develop relationships required in the real world.

The learning simulation is delivered in an interactive workshop alongside non-computer activities. The simulation models a county and the delegates are split into 5 teams to represent WCAs, WDA and the Waste Industries.

The partnership needs to work together to avoid LATs penalties and other problems such as failing industries. Will the delegates create a sustainable waste management strategy?

The final phase of the workshop gets the delegates to reflect on what they have learned and to start the process of action planning and ‘Making it Happen’ in the real world.