Eyes open to size of UK waste problems

Mar 18 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

THE DIRECTOR of a company formed to develop sustainable materials for the construction industry has become one of the first in the region to gain a nationally recognised waste awareness qualification.

Innovention Limited specialises in the application of recycled materials and is working with a number of major organisations on the development of innovative products for use in a new design of sustainable building.

Innoventions’ director Gary Thompson, based in Gateshead, was one of the first people to enrol on a Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) Waste Awareness Certificate course, designed to help businesses and other organisations minimise the waste they produce and manage what is left more sustainably.

Organised by the Resource Network North East project (ResNET) and jointly delivered by Renew Tees Valley, the course leads to the nationally-recognised and accredited CIWM Waste Awareness certificate, which is a foundation level certificate and similar to a NVQ Level 1 course.

Gary Thompson said: "As our company is dedicated to re-using the waste other organisations produce in new zero-carbon buildings, it made sense to find out how we can manage our waste more efficiently. The course opened my eyes to the size of the problem - more than 20m tonnes a year currently goes to landfill."

Places are available on the next courses, at RTV's Middlesbrough offices on April 8. To book a place, call 01642 438 420 or email chayward@renewteesvalley.co.uk