Resources
There are a number of existing tools and benefits calculators which can be used to predict and monitor the impact of waste prevention activities. The tools use different information and methodologies to generate the results. Some offer a predictive indication of the potential impact of a service or activity to inform decision making whilst some will provide a retrospective impact based on activity information. The most appropriate tool for a local authority will depend on their specific monitoring and evaluation needs.
- Waste management and end markets
- Reducing and preventing food waste
- Measuring and reporting food waste
- Local Authorities
- Reducing and preventing food waste
- Measuring and reporting food waste
- Surplus food redistribution
- Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
- Consumer behaviour
- Re-use & recycling
- Local Authorities
There are various ways to approach measuring the impact of a service or waste prevention activity. The appropriate approach to adopt will depend on the service/activity being measured and the time and resources available for monitoring. Common approaches are outlined below with more detail available in the monitoring and evaluation guidance section.
There are also a number of measurement tools available which will indicate the impact of an intervention, during the planning and/or delivery stages.
- Reducing and preventing food waste
- Measuring and reporting food waste
- Local Authorities
Monitoring and evaluating waste prevention scheme performance is something that all local authorities should be doing as a matter of routine. Not only does it enable assessment of whether schemes are performing as expected, it also helps diagnose problems, design new approaches and ultimately improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Measuring and reporting food waste
- Local Authorities
This section provides links to WRAP’s communications guidance. It provides both general and specific waste prevention communications guidance as well as case studies and pilots on successful communications activities.
- Collections & recycling
- Communicating with residents
- Collections and sorting
- Kerbside collection
- Organics
- Local Authorities
Defra’s Framework for Sustainable Lifestyles (published October 2011) set out an approach to understanding and influencing behaviour. The framework provides evidence-based insights on the motivations and barriers to action and approaches to influencing behaviour.
- Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
- Household food waste
- Local Authorities
Communicating re-use is essential to increase donations of items for re-use and increase demand for donated items. WRAP provides a number of materials to support local authorities with their communications campaigns.
- Collections & recycling
- Re-use
- Electricals
- Re-use and recycling
- Local Authorities
Effective communications will be tailored to suit different stakeholder groups and their different behaviours and motivations. Local authorities should work with local partners to push out communications and use national brands to build awareness on key waste prevention issues.
- Collections & recycling
- Service design
- Communicating with residents
- Collections and sorting
- Re-use
- Waste management and reprocessors
- Local Authorities
Understanding the motivations and behaviours of different stakeholders is essential to targeting the right messages to the right audiences.
As a local authority you may not be best placed to deliver messages to all audiences so it is important to look for partners who residents engage with.
- Collections & recycling
- Communicating with residents
- Collections and sorting
- Re-use
- Retailers and brands
- Local Authorities
This section introduces ways in which to effectively encourage householders to enact waste prevention behaviours.
- Consumer behaviour
- Local Authorities
Once you have identified which waste stream to target the next step is to “get to know” your audience, understand their issues, and how to target them effectively.
- Waste management and end markets
- Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
- Household food waste
- Consumer behaviour
- Local Authorities
After making a strong case for waste prevention in your local authority, it is important to begin developing a plan.
- Waste management and end markets
- Reducing and preventing food waste
- Food Waste Reduction Roadmap
- Local Authorities