Implementing resource efficiency in Hampshire County Council Available to Purchase

Local authorities have many opportunities to influence resource efficiency: they are major construction clients and can directly require the implementation of sustainable construction measures in activities such as highways. In addition, as planning authorities, they can encourage or require sustainability measures in new construction through specifications for adoptable highways; as mineral planning authorities they can ensure that adequate facilities are available for the production of high-quality recycled materials. Maximising this potential requires a clear lead from the top, liaison between different departments within the council and their contractors and suppliers, and engagement with industry, developers and community groups. These points are illustrated by the approach that Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council have adopted to maximise material resource efficiency. This paper describes the approach and presents a case study to illustrate how the principles can be put into practice in the context of a household waste recycling centre. Ongoing measures to engage the construction sector in Hampshire are described. There will be a continuing need for such activities if targets set for the use of recycled and secondary aggregates are to be achieved.