This report shows how the structures of government and big business have influenced the direction of waste policy and explains why the UK has failed to make the leap towards intensive recycling. The author sets out a zero waste programme for the UK, which links the diversity and ingenuity of local community enterprises with smart government institutions and new markets for secondary materials. In particular, it demonstrates how a new approach to waste can create sustainable, ‘green collar’ jobs and play a vital part in local economic development.