Our planet faces intertwined tipping points that we can no longer ignore: the Climate Emergency, pollution in all its forms and the destruction of nature’s biodiversity. These are defining issues of our time. Among the many measures required to address them is a comprehensive re-think of the way we consume the Earth’s resources.
There is a clear and urgent economic need for central government and business to embrace sustainability. The world is overwhelmed by unsustainable, harmful waste such as single-use plastics and difficult-to-recycle multi-material items. We must move to a circular economy, one in which we “design out” waste, and where products can easily be repaired if need be.
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NLWA and its boroughs welcome central government plans to improve the consistency of recycling services, incentivise greater recyclability of packaging on the part of producers and retailers, and introduce a deposit return scheme. However, the need for legislative action to prevent waste is urgent. Central government has signalled its commitment in the Waste Prevention Programme for England, but plans are far from firm, with promised consultation dates fast approaching.
In the meantime, central government has proposed waste reduction targets for local authorities, yet local authorities have very limited influence on waste created at source. Simply asking people to do the right thing will not work; systemic change is needed to make sustainable options the most economical, convenient, and conventional choice. It is therefore vital NLWA, and its boroughs engage with central government to ensure that policy aligns with the waste hierarchy.
Over the course of this plan, we will deliver the following:
- Work with our boroughs to develop an NLWA call to action, setting out policies and best practice which could reduce waste and create a circular economy.
- Campaign on key policy issues such as powers for local authorities to make recycling compulsory or banning a greater range of single-use packaging. We will promote our agenda through press releases, social media, and articles on our website.
- We will respond to central government consultations relating to waste and resources policy.
- We will lobby producers to make products more sustainable; end planned obsolescence; offer reusable or hire options; improve product repairability or increase the recyclability of packaging.
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