Workshop 1 - MRS Launch

23 September 2003 - St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton

Over 200 representatives from across Hampshire and beyond helped successfully launch the Materials Resource Strategy. The strategy, aims to address the use of all material resources, including municipal, construction, commercial and agricultural waste, was launched at the Friends Provident St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton on 23rd September. From the feedback collected following the first workshop at the launch, the philosophy behind the launch was given a unreserved commendation .The MRS will start tackling Hampshire’s waste problem by minimising the extraction and production of primary resources, such as gravel, by better process and product design, and by maximising the use of secondary (or recycled) materials.

Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Councillor Keith Estlin said: "The MRS has three key goals: to maximise the value of all materials already in use, reduce pressures on natural resources, and minimise the problems caused by waste. This won’t happen overnight - indeed it will take years - but we strongly believe that the time is right for a new way of thinking and dealing with the waste problem."

Those involved in MRS development Hampshire County Council; Project Integra; and the two unitary authorities of Portsmouth and Southampton, are keen to involve local representatives in developing policies and plans.

Southampton City Council leader Adrian Vinson who gave the introduction on the day, said the strategy was the first of its type in the country. "Hundreds of interested parties have been invited to help flesh out the plan over the next year". The first workshop was held at the launch had a recurring theme that recycling needs to be made cheaper for small businesses. Another seven workshops are anticipated over the next year as the strategy develops, and all delegates at the launch expressed an interest in attending future workshop events.

Event in Pictures