The Local Authority Prevention Network (LAPN) is a key component in continuing to build capacity in local authorities for the promotion of resource efficiency and waste prevention at a local and grassroots level for the benefit of their localities. Over the last 4 years, the programme has demonstrated that implementing waste prevention and resource efficiencies in an organisation can lead to significant savings, in addition to the obvious environmental benefits. Developed under the National Waste Prevention Programme, through LAPN the EPA provides assistance and support to local authorities in Ireland. Research identified that the two principal barriers to implementing waste prevention in the local authority sector have been a lack of resources and a lack of expertise and expert support. By removing these barriers the programme enables local authorities to actively pursue resource efficiency programmes in partnership with businesses, public organisations and communities in their functional areas. Building on their past experience of working with these organisations to introduce recycling, they are now working to encourage them to reduce their consumption of materials, water and energy and to make sure they are getting the best value from the resources they do use.
In many instances, local authority staff have been seconded to work specifically on prevention projects. This has developed capacity in local authorities so that their staff can in turn enable local organisations (including their own) to prevent waste. Projects have included prevention in a wide range of sectors including community, commercial and business organisations such as shopping centres, a regional airport, hospitals, construction, farms, university, public organisations, pubs and schools. Other projects include prevention initiatives in a town centre, at three public swimming pool facilities, public buildings, an offshore island, a major retail outlet and a university campus. Best practice case studies and prevention data/know-how are now emerging from each project for dissemination and implementation throughout the country. The programme has had a number of significant achievements:
The programme began as a demonstration programme in 2006 and aimed to show that local authorities could design and implement effective local integrated waste prevention programmes and projects, with support provided by way of direct technical expertise (from the Clean Technology Centre at the Cork Institute of Technology) and grant monies. The grant aid is primarily intended to allow local authorities to appoint staff to work on dedicated prevention projects or programmes. Currently, 12 local authorities from across the country are receiving financial and technical support from the EPA and are using the experience and case studies generated by the LAPD Programme to implement further waste prevention initiatives.
Download the summary report on the Local Authority Prevention Demonstration Programme 2006-2009.
View publications from the programme.
Visit the LAPN website for more information on the Local Authority Prevention Network.
