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Welcome
to the Devon Community About DCRN and its members. The aim of the network is to: - inform, support, advise and represent the interests of the community waste sector - help develop new opportunities for the sector and member groups - liaise and work with Local Authorities and other stakeholders to develop closer partnership working opportunities and mutual benefits. The community waste sector in Devon is diverse, both in the scope of its activities and range of size of organisations. To see the distribution of groups throughout Devon, click on MAP. To see the range of activities click on the following project choice. Network
Organisations Projects services include kerbside recycling services, furniture reuse collections and facilities, composting and garden waste collections, waste minimisation, environmental education and waste awareness, scrap-stores, and many other services to over 100,000 households across Devon. They sustain over 200 jobs, and offer skills and work training to employees and volunteers, including NVQ's. The sector makes a significant contribution to the social economy in Devon, with some groups maturing into professional social enterprises over the last 10 years. Furniture reuse collections are often provided free to householders by local member groups who then pass on low cost or free goods to people on low incomes. Virtually all of Devon is covered by a Reuse Project. In this way over 30,000 items per year are reused, many diverted from the waste stream. Domestic appliances such as washing machines, fridges and cookers are refurbished by Devon Furniture Forum and Plymouth Resettlement Agency for resale through their Reuse Projects. The Devon community waste sector has often developed innovative solutions to recycling challenges, such as pioneering source segregated dry recycling collections, plastic bottle and 'tetra-pak' carton collections, and local community led initiatives such as composting in the community. Research and development into recycling and reusing marginal or challenging materials is ongoing, for example matresses, and remains one of the sectors strengths. Significant 'added value' is delivered by community waste groups in social, economic, environmental and sustainability terms. For instance, projects encourage community involvement and social cohesion, provide volunteering and training opportunities, supported employment schemes and employment rehabilitation, and address social exclusion, rural disadvantage and the alleviation of poverty through the supply of reused furniture and household items. Economic benefits include: jobs, services and facilities, attracting significant external grant funding, keeping more value, money and resources within local communities, reducing the need for people to buy new items through supplying low cost reused and refurbished items, and pioneering innovative methods and solutions. Environmental benefits include: reducing waste, conserving resources and energy through maximising reuse and recycling, recycling of marginal or low value materials, raising awareness, and helping 'close the loop' - for example, producing food in compost made from garden waste. In sustainability terms the benefits include: promoting sustainable communities and more sustainable ways of living, providing local infrastructure, facilities and solutions, and helping Local Authorities achieve their wider corporate objectives. DCRN provides a vital support structure and safety net for Devon groups, and has contributed to the sectors ability to draw down large quantities of external funding to help boost Devon's recycling and reuse efforts. DCRN has also contributed to the recognition of Devon as one of the UK's leading counties in recycling, and is active in the regional agenda through participation in the South West Community Waste Network. Many groups have achieved a high national profile for their work. DCRN represents a partnership between the public and community sector. It was established in 1992 to address the need for representation from the community recycling sector and to act as a liaison between Local Authorities and the community sector. DCRN holds an Annual Conference for members (and an AGM to elect the Management Team), and produces a newsletter, 'Junk Mail', distributed to over 700 recipients. DCRN is mainly funded by the Devon Authorities Waste Reduction & Recycling Committee, a joint committee comprising all the local authorities in Devon, elected Councillors, and a community representative. DCRN consists of a diverse range of approx.40 member groups and many more individuals. Members include major recycling groups, 12 furniture reuse groups, reuse and repair centres (including white goods), scrapstores, specialist computer and lamp recycling, and 'Real Nappy' groups. The aim of the network is to: - inform, support, advise and represent the community waste sector - help develop new opportunities for the sector and member groups - liaise and work with Local Authorities and other stakeholders to develop closer partnership working opportunities and mutual benefits. DCRN also provides support by organising an annual conference, informing members of ongoing best practice and innovation, responding to Government Waste Strategy & Policy consultations to ensure the sectors voice is represented, updating members on government waste policies, encouraging the development of new groups and providing information and advice to existing groups. The annual national CRN Conference provides an opportunity to gather information and best practice developments from across the UK. Click on What's New to see our updated notice board for information and news The part-time Network Co-ordinator also produces a newsletter, the 'Junk Mail', which is distributed to over 700 recipients throughout the County. (Click here to see the latest Junk Mail). DCRN also represents the sector by participating in recycling and waste minimisation working groups and contributes to the Waste Education Steering Group. A detailed response was made to the 2003 Devon Municipal Waste Management Strategy Draft Consultation to advocate the interests, aims and objectives of the community sector in Devon. DCRN advocates the needs of both individual groups or the sector as a whole. DCRN is independent of, but works closely with, the national Community Recycling Network (CRN). The CRN is the national voice of the community waste sector. The Devon Community Recycling Network welcomes new members from individuals, community organisations, and partners from business. Click for information about membership. |