THE NEWSLETTER
OF THE
KENT REDUCTION OF WASTE NETWORK

Issue 1 - December 1997

Editorial
Welcome to the first KROWN newsletter, which all members will receive on a regular basis to keep them up-to-date with all that is happening in the world of waste in Kent.

KROWN is an umbrella body for all those organisations and individuals working towards community-based, environmentally sustainable and safe solutions to Kent's waste crisis. We already represent, through our member organisations, tens of thousands of Kent residents. We have established a constructive dialogue with the decision-makers within KCC, and remain confident that a strong united voice through KROWN will result in communities becoming genuinely involved in determining how their waste is managed.

Membership renewals are now due, so please return the enclosed slip as soon as possible. Membership entitles you to attend KROWN meetings, receive copies of this newsletter, and draw on the skills and experiences of other members.

To let others know what you are up to, or what is planned in your community (good or bad), please send articles for the next issue to the Editor (details on reverse). Thank you, and have a happy, waste-free Christmas.

STOP PRESS: The adoption of the Kent Waste Local Plan has been blocked by the Secretary of State for the Environment. This blocking order follows a block on the Kingsnorth Incinerator. The Secretary of State must now decide whether to call in the Plans for his own determination. Kent Enviropower have pulled out of plans for an incinerator at Halling. In their News Release they confirmed the Halling Incinerator Action Group's views that the Halling site was not consistent with the intent of the Kent Waste Local Plan. Unfortunately, it would appear that KCC have given their blessings to the incinerator now being built at Allington Quarry on the outskirts of Maidstone.

AGM Success
Over forty people attended the first KROWN AGM at Wye College on 15 November. It proved to be a highly useful event, with much networking as well as three informative speakers.

David Alexander, Head of Waste Management at KCC, talked of the need to move away from landfill and develop new technologies for dealing with the 750,000 tonnes of domestic refuse produced each year in Kent. He expressed the opinion that the KCC Waste Strategy was 'not at loggerheads' with the aims of the community sector; a view not entirely shared by some during the question-and-answer session.

John Woodruffe of Rogers Waste Management explained how their kerbside collection of dry recyclables (paper, cans, plastic, textiles), alongside the bottle bank system, is achieving recycling rates of 30% in Canterbury. He was firmly of the view that source-separation is a vital element of sustainable waste management, a stance long advocated by the community sector in Kent.

Finally, Richard Anderson of London Community Recycling Network, the equivalent of KROWN covering the London Boroughs, talked about the role the community sector is playing in developing a waste strategy for London. London Pride Waste Action, who head the capital's waste plans, see community involvement as being central to achieving their target of a 70% recycling rate by the year 2015.

Recycling Credits to continue
KROWN has received confirmation from Cllr Sarah Hohler, Chairman of KCC Strategic Planning Committee, that recycling credits to third parties will continue beyond April 1998. It had originally been stated by KCC that credits would only continue for 12 months from April 1997, so this news can be taken as a commitment by KCC to the value of the community sector. Recycling credits are payable on all domestic refuse removed from the waste stream for recycling, and are currently worth £25-£30/t depending on which local authority area you operate in. Contact your recycling officer if you do not currently receive credits to discuss how to qualify and claim.

Lottery Bid
KROWN has submitted an application to the National Lottery Charities Board for two year funding. If successful, we will be able to appoint a part-time coordinator to help develop the community sector in Kent.

KROWN Executive
The newly elected executive committee for 1997-1998 are:

Richard Boden WyeCycle
Barbara Czoch Flaxland Farm C S A
Ian Hargraves Halling Incinerator Action Group
Felix Krish Hernhill Community Composting
David Plumstead Saltwood Kerbside Collection
Sek Waf Yugo Medway Jackdaws

Please send news, articles, comments etc (and membership forms!) to:
KROWN, 18 Scotton Street, Wye, Ashford, Kent TN25 5BZ Tel: 01233-813298
Next issue: February 1998

Next meeting: January 1998 (agenda to follow - to members)

Any suggestions for a name for this newsletter? A bottle of organic wine to the winner.