Set up as a project twenty years ago by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Waste Watch became an independent, national charity in 1992. Today, the charity works in a range of areas to encourage sustainable living throughout the UK.

“Waste Watch works to change the way people use the world’s natural resources – we believe everyone has a part to play in living more sustainably and in changing the world around them,” explains Peter. “We help local authorities get the waste reduction message across by providing advice and running communication campaigns. We support teachers and waste educators and have reached over one million school children through our interactive robot, Recycler. We work with businesses, recently teaming up with the Co-op to set up an education centre at their recycling facility in Manchester. We also conduct research and provide facts and figures about waste and recycling through our website.”

And the organization is also a key partner in the Future Friendly initiative, a consumer campaign to promote sustainability in the UK. In the Future Friendly Awards, due to take place next year, Waste Watch will judge the ‘Local Champion’ category, which recognises one individual who has gone beyond the call of duty in inspiring others to take local action to improve the environment.

“As a charity, Waste Watch offers practical advice and support to local communities enabling people to bring about local changes that can have a global impact,” says Peter. “This ethos was shared by the Future Friendly initiative, which seeks to recognise the contribution made by ordinary people in tackling climate change. Waste Watch was keen to support an initiative that encourages others to do their bit and to show that even small changes can make a big difference.”

But how does he think, in practice, we can inspire people to change the way they use the planet’s resources, reduce waste and save energy?

“We encourage individuals to take a step-by-step approach,” he explains. “By starting with something small and relatively simple to do like recycling, people find it easier to move on to the next step, for example, turning the thermostat down, switching off appliances and taking showers instead of baths. What we really aim to do is show people that not only do they have the power to prevent climate change by making straightforward lifestyle changes, but that these changes can also have a positive benefit to their own sense of personal wellbeing.”

And he believes Waste Watch’s long-term vision for a less wasteful society in the UK can only be achieved as a result of grass roots pressure, by people persuading politicians to introduce credible legislation and encouraging businesses to promote sustainability in practice.

“For instance, Waste Watch supports the principle of variable charging for rubbish collection, so those that recycle and reduce their waste don’t pay as much in their council tax as those who don’t,” he says. “It’s important to make it clear that what makes environmental sense makes economic sense too. The challenge for us then, is to work with our partners in the corporate world, government and in communities to demonstrate that it is possible for us all to enjoy a high quality of life combined with a low environmental impact.”

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