MAJOR moves to tackle the growing mountain of waste produced by businesses in the borough are set to be approved by Blackburn Council.

Councillors will be asked on Tuesday to approve bids for a waste awareness campaign, a waste minimisation club and a waste brokerage service.

Around 120,000 tonnes of commercial and industrial waste is produced annually in the borough, the economic development and employment committee will be told.

A study showed that metal, solvents, oils and cardboard were recycled to some extent, but only a few companies recycled paper.

The survey also revealed a low level of waste awareness among many companies.

Most did not know exactly what type of waste or how much they produced themselves.

A report from officers recommends that councillors put forward the plan for consideration under Single Regeneration Budget funding.

It points out that the survey showed there was potential to minimise waste at source and increase the amount being recycled or reused.

"It is essential that measures are put in place to facilitate this if Blackburn's businesses are to remain competitive and jobs safeguarded," adds the report.

The waste awareness campaign would provide education, training and technical advice to enable companies to manage their wastes more effectively.

A brokerage service would help companies recycle more waste by matching them with appropriate recyclers.

The waste minimisation club would give member companies access to on-site assistance with waste strategies, training and technical advice.

There would also be access to a forum for the exchange of waste-related ideas and information.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.