The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) has set an ambitious recycling target of 60% by 2025, with a focus on providing quality materials for closed loop recycling.
The Authority has previously outlined plans to reach a 50% recycling and composting rate by 2015 but has now stretched this further.
In its updated draft waste management strategy, which was approved by the Authority at a meeting on March 16, targets were also laid out for a 90% diversion rate of material from landfill by 2015 as well as a 50% reduction in household residual waste by 2025.
A review of the waste management strategy was started on March 18 2011 and has been developed over the last year following an engagement and consultation exercise.
The new strategy was approved at the meeting alongside a suite of other documents including: an updated corporate plan 2012-15, joint communications service annual action plan 2012/13 and the treasury management strategy statement.
Objectives
The draft strategy highlights the importance of the waste hierarchy and of focusing more on waste prevention and then on increasing recycling and energy recovery.
Eight core policy objectives have been developed to support the delivery of the Authoritys zero waste aim across four key themes saving resources, connecting with the community, protecting the environment, and supporting businesses.
Within saving resources the Authority aims to reduce residual household waste to 400kg per household by 2025, a 50% reduction on the 2008/09 baseline.
Community
Behavioural change was highlighted as a key factor in waste reduction and the GMWDA aims to tackle this through a 2012/13 communication plan which will see it deliver campaigns, focus on recycling more materials, such as WEEE, and organising education and awareness activities as well as utilising social media.
Commenting on the strategy Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of GMWDA, said: The GMWDA needs the help of Greater Manchester residents to achieve this and is hoping to work with communities and businesses to look at what they are buying and how things can be recycled.
Business
The updated strategy also outlines the GMWDAs plans for businesses. The Authority is looking to work with regional partners to promote better business waste management and smarter procurement. Through this it is seeking to expand the recycling services offered to businesses through district operated commercial collections and trade waste recycling facilities.
The strategy said it would support businesses: To reduce, reuse, recycle and recover waste and increase understanding of the actions government and business can take to develop increased producer responsibility.
Cllr Swannick explained: To really achieve our aim of zero waste, we are working with businesses to help them think differently and we are urging manufacturers to make products using less materials, and products that can be more easily recycled. Generally, we need businesses to use less and recycle more; we will therefore support businesses to do that. These new initiatives will assist with this work and help to drive forward recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Paul Dunn
The updated strategy is not the only change for the GMWDA which also last week (March 21) saw executive director Paul Dunn retire after nine years with the Authority.
During his time with the GMWDA, Mr Dunn led Greater Manchester through the PFI procurement process for a 25-year waste and recycling contract and helped to increase the recycling rate from 14.05% in 2004/05 to 37.01% in 2010/11.
Commenting on his forthcoming retirement Mr Dunn said: I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and feel immensely proud to have been associated with the Authority and its staff, who have made the Greater Manchester solution what it is today. I will miss working at the Authority, and I wish the Members and staff all the best.
Related links
Cllr Swannick said: Paul joined GMWDA from Stockport with a wealth of experience in waste and recycling management. At a time when the Authority was developing, his forward thinking attitude and his dedication for championing the interests of Greater Manchesters solution to waste management was exactly what the Authority needed. His broad strategic grasp and attention to detail along with his enthusiasm, passion and drive will be missed.
Subscribe for free