The initial focus for Pathway To Zero Waste is on the huge volumes of material sent to landfill by the region's 37,000 construction companies. This presents a massive opportunity - £370m in reduced operating costs by 2011 alone.

Over the next five years the South East is destined to produce the largest amount of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in the UK.

Once the value of wasted materials and labour is factored in, the real cost of waste can be ten times its disposal cost.

With landfill costs increasing annually and landfill capacity fast running out, this disposal method is not only financially and environmentally damaging, it is quickly becoming practically impossible.

How will PTZW deliver?
The objective is to deliver a cultural shift that will divert materials away from landfill. PTZW will transform the way that organisations view and manage materials, driving change from

PTZW will act as a catalyst, delivering high impact quick wins that accelerate the pace of change throughout the region.

Its targets for C&D waste are:

• To reduce the amount of C&D waste sent to landfill by 50% against 2008 levels by 2011 - one year ahead of national and industry targets.
• To reduce the amount of C&D waste sent to landfill by 90% by 2020, paving the way for a zero waste region.

Achieving a 50% reduction in C&D waste to landfill requires some 2.7 million tonnes of material to be diverted. This requires substantial investment in infrastructure as a matter of urgency because the existing network of facilities in the South East is insufficient for the increased volumes and types of material that will need processing.

Because of the long lead times in planning and building these facilities, infrastructure development has to be a priority. PTZW is working with the public and private sectors, including financial institutions, opening doors and brokering deals, and getting organisations working together to speed up the development of infrastructure in the region. This presents considerable commercial opportunities for companies and organisations that have the capability to operate in this area.

PTZW will also seek to use public sector procurement as a lever for change, aiming to ensure that the region's planned £1.6bn build programme has specifications in all contracts requiring the use of optimum levels of recovered materials.

It will also provide expert guidance, training and tools to help construction companies establish resource-efficient processes.

The benefits on offer for your business:

• reduced landfill disposal and other operating costs;
• reduced reliance on expensive virgin materials;
• new revenue streams created by increased demand for recovered and recycled materials;
• business growth and job creation through infrastructure build and operate opportunities;
• considerable reduction in carbon footprint;
• competitive advantage gained through improved sustainability performance;
• reputational benefits through enhanced corporate social responsibility performance; and
• achievement of Government and industry sustainability targets a year early.

PTZW will make this happen by:

• encouraging the adoption of voluntary commitments to increase use of recycled and recovered materials in private and public sector build programmes and to divert material way from landfill;
• identifying an effective market mechanism to buy and sell recycled and recovered materials;
• establishing a robust framework of regional recovery and recycling infrastructure including construction consolidation centres and construction materials recovery facilities;
• accelerating the development of new infrastructure by carrying out feasibility studies and providing guidance on planning and licensing issues, and helping to secure suitable sites and funding;
• helping to develop a comprehensive reverse logistics network;
• ensuring a level playing field for all regional businesses through a zero tolerance approach to fly-tipping and other illegal practices;
• carrying out research and providing data on the types of materials sent to landfill, their origin by business sector and location; and
• developing and promoting best practice in all aspects of resource efficiency.