Assembly to investigate London’s waste generation

Led by the Environment Committee the investigation will focus on three aspects in particular: waste reduction and the circular economy, recycling and energy from waste.

The investigation scoping paper states that the capital generated around 20 million tonnes of waste in 2010, the bulk of which is sent for recycling, incineration as fuel to generate electricity and/or heat buildings, and landfill.

Key questions which the committee will be looking to address include:

• What are the issues and challenges in seeking to reduce the costs and environmental impacts of London’s waste and how it is handled?
• How, and how well, do the Mayor’s current policies and programmes promote the sustainable management of London’s waste?
• What new or different ideas and approaches could improve the Mayor’s policies?  Are there examples from other parts of the country or the world?
• How should the Mayor change policies or programmes?

Findings from the report are due to be published in early 2018.

Leonie Cooper AM, Chair of the London Assembly Environment Committee, said: “London has the lowest recycling rates in the country, and these rates have stopped growing in recent years. Wasting materials damages the environment and costs money, so we want to reduce, re-use and recycle as much as possible.

“The London Assembly Environment Committee will hear from the Greater London Authority, the London Waste & Recycling Board, local government and many other businesses and organisations about what can be done to start making progress on waste again.”

Report

She continued: “The committee has welcomed contributions from members of the public, local authorities, private waste management companies and other stakeholders.”

The scoping paper suggests the next steps in the process could be potential site visits, and meeting devoted to each of the topics of waste reduction/circular economy, recycling collections and incineration/waste disposal.

The London Assembly, made up of 25 members, holds the Mayor and Mayoral advisers to account by publicly examining policies and programmes through committee meeting, plenary sessions, site visits and investigations.

According to its website, Assembly Members also act as champions for Londoners by investigating issues that are important to the capital – from improving the economy to how to tackle alcohol misuse by young Londoners.