Research on attitudes for policy development in organic resource management

Thomas, Christine; Schiller, Frank; Yoxon, Mark and Oreszczyn, Sue (2008). Research on attitudes for policy development in organic resource management. In: Waste 2008, 19-21 Sep 2008, Stratford-upon-Avon, UK.

Abstract

Understanding attitudes to waste management, whether towards processing facilities, use of waste resources or to participating in recycling and waste minimisation activities, are playing an increasingly important role in UK waste management practice. This paper describes a research project, funded under the Defra Waste and Resources R&D Programme, to investigate attitudes to the use of organic resources on land amongst different stakeholder groups and opinion formers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The research will enhance understanding of the range of attitudes and perceptions towards the spreading of organic waste-derived materials on land and the results used to develop recommendations and provide evidence for informing policy and practice, as well as contribute to current debate. This paper briefly describes the process, intentions and iterative nature of the research and presents findings from the initial stage of the project, which focuses on views from the literature and scoping views of some key stakeholder groups.