London, situated in southwestern Ontario, is a city with 340,000 people in 140,000 households.
This look at London is really a snapshot of the use of tools and thinking outside the box that Glass Works wishes to encourage. London is applying a number of tools that we believe will set up a solid foundation for success in moving to "making their own world work".
The four key strengths to London's approach include:
What is perhaps most interesting about London's progress, according to Joe Hruska of CSR, is the willingness they have to act as a testing ground for new concepts. CSR has partnered with London directly on a few projects enabling London to match ideas with some dollars, which has allowed the city to be more flexible. More important, according to Jay Stanford, Manager of Solid Waste Management for London, has been the qualitative benefits of partnering. Working with industry and government brings out the different knowledge and skills from both sides. Jay indicated that the municipality learned first hand of businesses' willingness to work cooperatively, in turn value for services in kind were recognized. There is also a subtle yet critical difference in the working relationship with contractors; moving from monitoring contractors' performance to working with them, and this has produced beneficial results.
Jay also co-chaired a task force that investigated approaches to waste management in 40 North American communities in similar ecosystems. They found all kinds of different ways to finance waste management, alternatives to Ontario's singular mill rate approach. CSR is currently trying to find an appropriate Internet home for this report.
Questions can be directed to Joe Hruska at CSR (416) 594-3456 ext. 227, email hruska@csr.org.
To learn more about London's approach for success call Jay Stanford at (519) 661-5411 or email at jstanfor@city.london.on.ca
Glass Works is a publication of Consumers Glass
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