THE director of a company that develops sustainable materials for the construction industry has become one of the first people in the region to gain a nationally-recognised waste awareness qualification.

Gary Thompson, of Gateshead-based Innovention Limited, was one of the first people to enrol on the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) Waste Awareness Certificate course, which helps businesses better manage, and minimise, their waste.

Mr Thompson, whose company specialises in the use of recycled materials for houses, said: "As our company is dedicated to re-using the waste other organisations produce in new zero-carbon buildings, it made sense to find out how we can manage our waste more efficiently.

"The course really opened my eyes to the size of the problem - more than 20 million tonnes a year nationally currently goes to landfill."

The course is delivered by the Resource Network North-East project (Resnet, the only organisation in the region accredited by the CIWM to deliver it.

Delegates who complete the one-day course receive the CIWM Waste Awareness certificate, a foundation level certificate similar to a NVQ Level 1 course.

The course is delivered on behalf of Resnet, by Chris Hayward, technical manager of waste tanagement and Recycling with Renew Tees Valley.

More information is available from the CIWM website ciwm.co.uk/pm/426 or from Mr Hayward on 01642-438420, or email chayward@renewteesvall ey.co.uk