[HacktionLab] Talking to local government/s about e-waste reduction

[mark]

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA512

Dear Hacktionlabbers,

I'm sorry this can't wait until after we discuss it at BarnCamp.

I have an opportunity to present to a local-government instigated
commission on waste. They want radical solutions, they say. This is
quite a big gig for me, so I'd welcome a bit of help.

Here's my outline, please let me know if you'd add/change anything,
and also let me know if you want to be credited and/or involved with
the process. I think a submission would carry more weight if it comes
from more people.


* Waste reduction is superior to re-use and recycling of consumer
electronics because of high energy use in
materials-process-distribution phases of lifecycle, and toxicity of
recycling processes

* Waste reduction can be supported by educating people how to extend
the useful life of their stuff

* Free software has a core role in educating people how to take back
control of their e-stuff

* Educating consumers about the social and environmental impact of
their choices could be supported by greater transparency in gov.
tendering, and public information campaigns

* Local re-use is superior to transporting stuff to a central facility
because of less transport, supporting local economy, educational
opportunities and strengthening communities through joint action and
shared ownership (e.g. cooperatives)

* Re-use and waste reduction projects should be supported by local
authorities through innovative procurement practices, e.g. allowing
easily re-usable stuff to be skimmed from the waste stream locally,
before using WEEE contractors

* Local waste guidance should make clear that the local authority
doesn't expect WEEE registration (or whatever replaces it after
Brexageddon) for re-use projects with a zero-waste policy

* Town planners could only approve advertising displays if they carry
a permanent "health warning" about excessive consumption


What have I missed?

Mark

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----
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=dsnv
-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----