Co-design workshops investigate Isles of Scilly waste management options
ETL has run community workshops across the Isles of Scilly in September 2024, setting the stage for designing a locally-appropriate waste management system.
ETL has run community workshops across the Isles of Scilly in September 2024, setting the stage for designing a locally-appropriate waste management system. Participants from the islands of St Agnes, St Martin’s, Bryher, and St Mary’s identified a complex interplay of technical, social, and governance requirements.
A key takeaway was the preference for decentralized systems that reduce transport costs and align with circular economy principles, turning waste into resources like compost for local use. However, participants emphasized the need for scalable, robust systems capable of adapting to seasonal population variations while being straightforward to maintain. Equally significant were the social and governance insights. Effective waste management will require community buy-in, and governance solutions must emphasize community-driven rules, fair cost-sharing mechanisms, and leverage local expertise.
ETL’s involvement on the Isles of Scilly builds on a collaboration with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and the Isles of Scilly Community Venture. ETL is also involved in supporting community engagement as part of the Seabird Recovery Project.