Environment Minister Michael Minister announced today that London will receive a 21.3 million share of the 140 million recycling fund. The decision follows a joint campaign between the Greater London Authority, the Association of London Government and London Waste Action. The partnership approach was initiated by Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, who believes a piecemeal approach would not have been the best option for London in the long-term.
The Minister said that the allocation is in accordance with the number of households in the capital. Mr Meacher explained that he decided to give London its own fund because he agreed with the Mayor's belief that London could get use the money better by working together. The money is to be distributed in two chunks. The first, 7.6 million, of which 3.8 million will be for capital expenditure and 3.8 million for resource expenditure is to be allocated during 2002/03. During 2003/04, London will be allocated 13.7 million, of which 7.61 million will be for capital expenditure and 6.09 million for resource expenditure.
Ken Livingstone said: “This money represents London's fair share of recycling money available from the Government for the next two years. It shows London government in action. I must thank Michael Meacher for giving the go ahead for London's cash. It will go some way to ensure the policies in our waste strategy are delivered – in particular that every household in London should have a kerbside collection by April 2004, and a London-wide education programme to increase participation in recycling schemes.”
Kerbside
London currently recycles 9% of household waste and has to reach 18% by 2003/04 to hit government targets. The fund will to give every household in London a kerbside collection of at least three materials by 2003-4. Only 46% of London households currently have a kerbside collection and some only have a paper service. The money will also go to more recycling sites and composting facilities.
John Duffy, the Mayor's senior policy adviser on waste, said: “The implementation team is now in place through the joint partnership to deliver better recycling facilities for London. The speed at which London mobilised to secure the funding is very promising. It is now up to Londoners to increase recycling and the waste industry to match the commitment shown by the government and the Mayor.”
Welcoming the government’s decision, Samantha Heath, chair of the Environment Committee said that it was “fantastic news” for London. And speaking on behalf of London recyclers, John Enright, chair of the London Recycling Officers' Group, said: “This is excellent news, not just as far as the capital is concerned but also for the counties around London. This will help London to be more sustainable in its approach to waste management. London is not a special case. We have a draft mayor's strategy for action and talks and discussions are already underway with other bodies and local authorities.”
Subscribe for free