thearcproject-bplan-05-09

8/8/2019 theARCproject-bplan-05-09

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theARCproject CIC aims to become a third-sector community resourcecompany, serving the geographical areas of Dinefwr.

The primary objective of theARCproject is to reduce the quantities ofwaste generated in Carmarthenshire. This will be achieved in part bysoliciting, collecting and restoring materials for redistribution through

a network of local community agencies and micro economic initiativesthat serve our target market.

Acting as a key community stakeholder in the waste and recyclingsector, theARCproject promotes the values of sustainability, self-sufficiency and energy descent; as a catalyst for social change andenergy descent.theARCproject aims to actively involve and engage with all peoples andparties interested in the local sustainable development of Dinefwr.

Operating as a company limited by shares, this innovative approach tosocial enterprise, allows for voluntary time, skills, experience and othernon-economic functions to be traded as commodities and as a valuablecommunity resource.

Our services will include computer and electrical goods restoration,bicycle repair and maintenance schemes, community recycling centresand energy descent projects. These grassroots led initiatives willprovide opportunities for the creation of low-impact activities for allindividuals, families, community groups, local businesses and publicorganisations.

theARCproject is seeking support from unitary authorities, local

governance agencies, charitable organisations and commercialsponsorship.

Principle Statements


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theARCprojectC.I.C.has set out the following statements that together aim tomeet the needs of the present, without compromising the abilities of futuregenerations to meet their own needs.

to enable sustainable waste management within communitiesacross Carmarthenshire.

to provide resources and support for individuals, groups,businesses and organisations wishing to employ innovative andcreative projects for local waste minimisation.

to assist in the establishment of recycling initiatives that provideeducation, training and enterprise locally.

to continue working with existing programmes that expand thepublic awareness and perception of community recycling and

sustainable waste management in Cymru.

to provide practical support in the legislative guidance, policy andplanning frameworks of local partnership and governance

We actively encourage all members, users, operators, staff andvolunteers to adopt the above principle statements as a means toachieving a Local Sustainable Development.

The overarching social principles and economic values imposed on our 21stCentury society are of an 18th Century making. The Wealth of Nations was

penned in 1772 by Adam Smith, at the birth of the Industrial Revolution andis still considered by many to be the Magnum Opus of economic thinking.


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The world has changed and continues to evolve at an astounding rate,with it our demand for material goods and resource use increaseexponentially. This is indefensible. The uncomplicated fact is that ournatural reserves are depleting, to such an extent that our ability toendlessly provide is exhausted.theARCproject is a community interest attempt to reduce the impact ofunsustainable resource management by creating a waste specificbusiness model for change at a local level.

In the beginning there was commerce and it was good - then came tradeand industry which overwhelmed the needs of supply and demand - Nextwas the global capital principles of free trade' and a new world order.It

failed.Restoring our Social Capital to an extent where training and enterprise

are cohesive in nature with education and skills, will create a catalystfor change within the local economy and enable greater communitytrading and commerce to emerge.

Our reliance on oil is terrifying. During the petrol strikes in 2000, itbecame apparent that many areas of the UK only had sufficient food stocks

for up to three (3) days. As the vast majority of our general consumablesare no longer produced locally, the potential damage sudden energydepletion could cause is equally terrifying.

We are all very aware of our impact on the environment and as such donot want to waste energy saving the planet. We realise we cannot.As a CIC we can only assist in achieving forms of SustainableDevelopment at a local level. Therefore, Our Responsibility is simple:"Think Global, Act Local."Community Interest Companies (CIC) are limited companies, withspecial additional features, created for the use of people who want to

conduct a business or other activity for community benefit, and notpurely for private advantage.

This is achieved by a "community interest test" and "asset lock", whichensure that the CIC is established for community purposes and theassets and profits are dedicated to these purposes. The CIC is a suitablebusiness structure for a Social Firm.


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A CIC (Community Interest Company) is a type of company that uses itsassets and profits for the public benefit.theARCproject is a company limited by shares, having a Memorandumand Articles of Association it is registered with Companies House(CH). A CIC may have paid directors on its board.

theARCproject is able to accept grants and take out secured andunsecured loans. CICs escape the strict rules for charities relating totrading (a charity may only trade in furtherance of its objects),however a CIC will not benefit from the corporation tax rules or gift aidadvantages for charities.The community waste sector (CWS) is extremely diverse - made up of awide range of local community groups, charities, community-basedwaste management companies and other social enterprises.

This multi-tiered structure contributes to the effective delivery andpromotion of sustainable resource management. The community wastesector also provides both permanent and voluntary employment to awide range of people.

Community waste sector organisations work at neighbourhood, local,regional and national levels, delivering a huge variety of services tocommunities through reduction, re-use, recycling and compostingproject.

The community waste sector is able to assist local authorities inmeeting their household waste recycling and composting targets, whilstproviding additional local community benefits and successfullydelivering the Triple Bottom Line:

All income and profits are retained and invested in the localeconomy.

Social benefits include work and training opportunities,affordable goods and services and infrastructure improvementsfor people in local communities.


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Environmentally, all schemes aim to reduce CO2 emissions andthe amount of local pollution caused by long-distance wastemanagement activities.

Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) are designed to provide ease of

access to all members of the community - with local facilities forseparation and segregation of mainstreamcivic amenity recyclates.

Particular interest is paid to Glass collection, as this service is no longera part of the local authority kerbside recycling scheme.

Since the initial introduction and subsequent expansions during 2008,Carmarthenshire Waste Authority claim a significant increase inrecycling figures.

(including CA rubble)*05/06 - 22,096 tonnes06/07 - 22,877 tonnes07/08 - 23,875 tonnes

The fact still remains that it is difficult for many people to access theCivic Amenity and major Bring Sites across the county. People withouttransport, the elderly and disabled are limited in their recycling optionsand thus more inclined to rely on landfill use via Black Bag waste.

Carmarthenshire's waste figures have remained relatively static overthe last few years:

Household/Domestic*


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05/06 - 60,549 tonnes06/07 - 62,036 tonnes07/08 - 62,552 tonnes

Other wastes*05/06 - 7,566 tonnes06/07 - 9,070 tonnes07/08 - 4,757 tonnes

* Figures supplied by Street Care, Carmarthenshire County Council. December 2008

The introduction of larger commercial grade bins solely for recyclingand situated within Community areas will greatly improvethe awareness, perception and usability of recycling.

Working with Community groups and the Local Authority to identifypotential CRCs is a main objective for theARCproject. The increase inrecycling and reduction of waste to landfill is the goal.

This is a Not-For-Profit initiative and as such would welcome anyfinancial or in-kind support and assistance.theARCproject seeks to develop a micro-enterprise in BicycleMaintenance and Repair.

This will be achieved through the collection ofwaste bicycles from:Civic Amenity (CA) sites within Carmarthenshire and from bicyclesdonated by the public for recycling and re-use.


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A key partner in this initiative is Mr. Ian Williams, co-ordinator for theSwansea and Neath Port Talbot Re-Cycle schemes.

Training for members and volunteers will be provided with possibleaccreditation and certification for all users.

Bicycles will be checked and graded on collection as recyclates, unfitand non-roadworthy vehicles will be stripped for component parts.

Fit for purpose machines will be repaired and resold or re-used for

further education and training needs within communities.

Aims: To reclaim, restore and reuse waste bicycles, locally.

To provide low cost affordable personal transport, as anintegrated alternative to the motor vehicle.

To improve local quality of life indicators forHealth,Well-Being andAir Quality.

Objectives: To reduce the quantity of bicycles thrown away within

Carmarthenshire

To provide knowledge, training and skills support for allvolunteers, members and users.

To build innovative solutions to local transportation andhaulage and movement of goods and people acrossDinefwr.


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SustainIT, simply put a computer reclamation scheme - ICT recycling atsource. An ever increasing number of useable computers andperipherals are being disposed of daily. With the continuedadvancements in information, communications and technology,surplus and outdated machinery are needed to be recycled.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is becoming anincreasingly important area of recycling. For example, it is now theresponsibility of the manufacturer to dispose of unwanted items at thepoint of purchase. This 'new for old' service is marketed by many forprofit companies as added value, where in fact it is a legalresponsibility.

theARCprojectseeks to establish a micro-enterprise in the restoration,rebuilding and reprogramming of ICT equipment. This will be achievedthrough the collection of surplus and redundant machinery from localbusinesses and public sector organisations.

Further collections will be arranged with residents, community groupsand civic amenity services. Key partners are being identified within the

ICT sector and current interests have been expressed by several localSMEs.

All computer and electrical equipment will be sorted according to ageand accessibility and bench-test operations will conducted on suitablemachines prior to any repair work being undertaken.

Aims: To reclaim and reuse ICT equipment within local communities.

To provide low cost affordable and open access to computers.

To improve social interaction and knowledge transfer throughDigitalInclusion across Carmarthenshire.


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Objectives: To reduce the disposal offit-for-purpose computers, printers, monitors and

other related technologies throughout Dinefwr.

To provide open access to education, training and skill sharing that is bothgratis and libre for all.

To reuse outdated and surplus technologies in way that better serves thewider community interest.

thearcproject-bplan-05-09

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