Social Enterprises and Sustainable Waste and Resource Management
Lead Researchers: Dr Adrian Morley, Lori Frater, Rodrigo Lozano (Alumni), Frances Hines (Alumni), Somesh Chandrashekar (Alumni) and Sara Cartwright (Alumni)
Background
In the last five years a number of government policies and strategies have identified an increased role for social enterprises (SE) within the waste management infrastructure in England and Wales. The Waste Strategy for England 2007 states the government want third sector organisations to win an even bigger share of the waste management market (DEFRA, 2007). The policy salience of social enterprise is now fuelling a growing demand for data, research evidence and analysis, including their capacity and ability to offer additional avenues to current waste management practices. This requires an understanding of the factors that contribute to the success or failure of social enterprises in delivering defined social, economic and environmental goals, which are policy generated.
Social enterprises span the whole spectrum of economic and social activities. They fill the gap between commercial profit driven private sector companies and the services provided by the public sector. The flexibility and dynamic nature of SEs and the many models or forms that they may take means that they can often fill a niche in the market for goods and services that may not so effectively and easily be filled by the private or public sector. SEs involved in waste, in the past, have often offered waste services not available from the private sector. SEs were the first to pilot, kerb-side recycling schemes and they often handle, what may be termed niche wastes, for example shoes, spectacles and batteries. They often straddle between different public sector services, for example some collect domestic waste, for example furniture, for their Local Authority waste department, which can be sold on to low income households therefore providing social services.
This research project, funded by DEFRA, highlighted the potential opportunities available of increased integration in the waste management infrastructure, whilst simultaneously addressing the numerous barriers that may affect the successful attainment of this policy goal.
Aims and Objectives
The primary aim of this research was to evaluate the potential capacity of the Social Enterprise sector to deal with wastes and resources, to assess the ways in which the sector can be more effectively included into an integrated and more sustainable waste infrastructure in the UK, and to develop the skills and knowledge capacity of the sector through a range of research and communication actions carried out both during the lifetime of the project and following its completion. The specific objectives required to achieve this are as follows:
To identify and assess existing data sources and use these to map the current pattern of Social Enterprise involved in dealing with the management of resources and wastes in England and Wales.
To consult with stakeholders in the sector.
To conduct two detailed and four second tier case studies to measure and evaluate the impact of activities on economic, environmental and social sustainability of Social Enterprise on local regional and ultimately UK-level communities.
To conduct final analysis work and to synthesise the gathered data to provide a range of targeted recommendations to encourage, if appropriate, the more effective development and integration of Social Enterprise into the resource and waste management infrastructure in England and Wales.
Methodology
The methodology involved four key stages, these were:
a. Data Analysis
Data was collected from a number of social enterprise umbrella organisations and amalgamated into a social enterprise data base. 9 data assessment criteria were developed in order to analyse the data and identify strengths, weaknesses and any gaps. Subjecting the data to rigorous analysis provided an understanding of areas of confidence and areas of doubt in terms of its coverage, accuracy and quality.
b. Mapping the sector
Utilising the data collected from the data analysis, we were able to map the location of social enterprises in England and Wales and to assess the transport distances to relevant reprocessing facilities.
c. Case Studies & Typology
Two case studies, one in England and one in Wales, using on site research and data collection to measure and evaluate the impact of activities on economic, environmental and social sustainability of social enterprises on local, regional and ultimately UK level communities. Case studies were conducted by two methods, on site participant observation of two companies and via interviews of 4 companies. A typology was developed to help identify social enterprises with a waste focus.
d. Stakeholder interviews
Interviews of selected social enterprises from a sample of those surveyed, and of key stakeholders to identify further issues and patterns relating to current and future capacity of social enterprises to deal with different waste streams, to identify most effective and efficient approaches to including social enterprises into a more integrated waste and resource management infrastructure in the UK.
Outputs
Presentation
L. Frater, The Role of Social Enterprises in an Integrated Waste Management Infrastructure, Waste 2008: Waste and Resource Management - a Shared Responsibility, Waste Conference 2008, Stratford-upon-Avon
Book Chapters
Frater, L., Morley, A., Hines, F., The Role of Social Enterprises in an Integrated Waste Management Infrastructure, Waste 2008: Waste and Resource Management - a Shared Responsibility, (Ed: M. Townshend) Waste Conference Ltd, 2008, ISBN-10: 0953930149
Reports
Hines, F., Morley, A., Frater, L., Cartwright, S & Chandrashekar, S., (2008) Social Enterprises and Sustainable Waste & Resource Management (for DEFRA)
Policy Briefing
Waste Management: The role of social enterprises
Spatial Maps
The following are a variety of maps produced which represent:
1. Population of social enterprises in England and Wales
Map 1 - Population
2. Location of SEs collecting specific waste types and location of reprocessing facility
Map 2 Glass
Map 4 Paper
Map 6 Plastic
Map 8 Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Map 10 Textiles
Map 12 Furniture
Map 13 - Metal
3. Distances in time across Wales from SEs collecting waste to reprocessing facility handling waste
Map 3 Glass
Map 5 Paper
Map 7 Plastic
Map 9 Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Map 11 Textiles
Map 14 - Metal
Typology Tool
The typology model developed for the project was used to assist in the identification of the different types of social enterprises currently in existence. It provides an illustrative example of the range of organisations and the types of factors that may influence their growth. To view the typology tool,
click here.
Links
Newport Wastesavers
http://www.wastesavers.org.uk
CRASH-IT
http://www.wales.gov.uk/themessocialdeprivation/content/keydocs-e.htm
http://www2.glam.ac.uk/regeneration/intro.html
(this is the community development directory for Wales)
Social Audit Network
http://www.cbs-network.org.uk/SAN_Home.html
A site with information relating to social accounting and auditing for the community sector. Includes information sheets, hints, guidance and checklists.
GuideStar UK
http://www.guidestar.org.uk/
GuideStar UK is an independent charity with the aim of promoting the UK's voluntary and community sector. It will bring together existing information in one place, displayed in a way that is easy to read and understand. The main source of data will be charity reports and accounts.
New Economics Foundation
http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/new_ways_top.aspx?page=845&folder=137&
Includes an online social reporting tool, new ways of measuring impact, the quality and impact project and loads more!
Development Trusts Association
http://www.dta.org.uk/Content/current_activities/healthcheck.htm
DTA Healthcheck - The DTA Healthcheck is the community enterprise development tool; a practical way to help you review how you are doing and where you want to go.
PQASSO
http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/html/about_pqasso.htm
PQASSO is Charities Evaluation Services practical quality assurance system for small organisations, or for projects within larger organisations. It's a low-cost, straightforward quality system, written in plain English and designed specifically for voluntary sector organisations.
Community Enterprise Unit Ltd
http://www.ceultd.co.uk/
CEU deliver support in the development and management of social enterprises e.g. social accounting and audit training.
Community Business Scotland Network
http://www.cbs-network.org.uk/
Promote and encourage all forms of community owned and controlled enterprises, enabling local communities to become more self reliant and sustainable. CBS Network is the Network for all organisations and individuals committed to the idea of a flourishing community sector, achieving social and economic benefits.
The cats pyjamas
http://www.the-cats-pyjamas.com/
The Cats Pyjamas was founded in 2000 to provoke an honest debate about the potential and limits of the social enterprise business model. It wants to engage with those in private, public and voluntary sectors about finding business solutions to our communities problems.
Social Enterprise Partnership GB Ltd
http://www.sepgb.co.uk/background_information.html
Social Enterprise Partnership GB Ltd (SEP) is a strategic partnership of six organisations. SEP runs a national social enterprise project whose aims are to: build and raise awareness of the social enterprise sector; improve the performance of social enterprises; make the social enterprise support system more effective; mainstream best practice and innovate to influence wider programmes of social inclusion and enterprise.
The Co-Operative Union
http://www.co-opunion.coop/live/welcome.asp
The Co-operative Union is the apex organisation for co-operatives in the UK. It co-ordinates, informs and advises member societies and speaks on their behalf.
Social Firms UK
http://www.socialfirms.co.uk/
Social Firms UK aims to create employment opportunities for disabled people through the development and support of social firms.
Small Business Service Social Enterprise Unit (SEnU)
http://www.sbs.gov.uk/default.php?page=/socialenterprise/default.php
The Government's vision is of dynamic and sustainable social enterprise strengthening an inclusive and growing economy. In July 2002, the Government launched a three year strategy, Social Enterprise: a strategy for success, setting out a programme of action to work towards this vision. SenU has responsibility for carrying forward the strategy.
Business in the Community
http://www.bitc.org.uk
The BiTC website provides advice for social business entrepreneurs, explanations of how BiTC can assist social businesses, and some useful publications.
Business Link
http://www.businesslink.org
Provides comprehensive detail about what is on offer generally to business across the regions of the UK. There are specific pages for social enterprise.
Business Connect
http://www.businessconnect.org.uk
Provides comprehensive detail about what is on offer generally to business across the regions of the UK. There are specific pages for social enterprise.
Business Gateway
http://www.bgateway.com
Provides comprehensive detail about what is on offer generally to business across the regions of the UK. There are specific pages for social enterprise.
Community Action Network
http://www.can-online.org.uk
This provides learning advice and support for social entrepreneurs across the UK.
Co-operative Action
http://www.co-operativeaction.coop
The website for the CA provides information about the grants and loans they provide for new and existing co-operative ventures
DTI
http://www.dti.gov.uk
The DTI website hosts a wealth of resources on social enterprise. It includes government strategy and policy papers, consultation papers, publications and links to major stakeholders.
Esmee Fairbairn Foundation
http://www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
The pages on social development provide information about grants available for social and community enterprise
Local Investment Fund (LIF)
http://www.lif.org.uk
Provides information on how to access loans for social and community enterprises in England
National Council for Voluntary Organisations
http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
Provides a wealth of advice and support for voluntary organisations across the UK
Phoenix Fund
http://www.sbs.gov.uk/phoenix
Provides information about funding from central government for social businesses, and advice and case studies for social businesses
School for Social Entrepreneurs
http://www.sse.org.uk
Information about the types of support and advice available from the SSE nationally and locally, and the programmes they support for social entrepreneurs
Small Business Service
http://www.sbs.gov.uk
Provides information about government policy, the Business Link service, Phoenix Fund and resources and links to many other useful websites
Social Economy Bristol
http://www.socialeconomybristol.org.uk/
A website containing some useful advice and a range of relevant reports and papers on social enterprise in the Bristol area and beyond
Social Enterprise Coalition
http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk
A comprehensive and very useful website containing up to date information on what is happening in the sector, a good range of publications and excellent links to other sites.
Triodos Bank
http://www.triodos.co.uk/
The website of the Triodos Bank. Contains clear explanation of the Banks mission, principles, aims and objectives and ways of working, and allows social enterprises, consumers and other stakeholders to see how they can work with the Bank in different ways.
