London needs to dramatically improve to meet targets

The third annual ‘London Quality of Life Indicators' report explains that the city's municipal waste recycling performance was 11% below the national average in 2006/07 and that it also incinerated (22%) more municipal waste than it recycled (20%), resulting in what it called “a significant loss of materials and energy”.

The report was produced by the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC), a body established in 2002 to advise the Mayor on sustainability, and assesses 23 areas that contribute to sustainability, health and equality in the city and named household recycling among 11 areas or ‘indicators' in which there had been improvement. The document explains how municipal waste recycling rose from 8% in 2000/01 to 20% in 2006/07.

However, the figures, which drew in data from Defra, showed that London was still below the national average of the 31% recycling rate for municipal waste and the SDC claimed London would need to “dramatically improve” to meet targets outlined in the Mayor's London Plan, which calls for 35% municipal waste recycling and composting performance in 2010 and 45% in 2015.

The figures from the report also showed that household waste recycling rates in London had risen from 13.3% in 2003/04 to 26.9% in 2006/07, but that household waste arisings had continued to rise since 2003/04.

John Plowman, chairman of the London Sustainable Development Commission, said: “To live up to being a truly sustainable, fair and liveable capital we want to see policy solutions which reduce social and economic inequalities, tackle London's global environmental responsibilities and improve overall quality of life.

“London must now become a resource efficient, low carbon economy, with opportunities for all. That is the way for London to emerge from recession strengthened against future economic, social and environmental shocks,” he added.

Variation

The report found that there was a wide variation in council recycling services across London, including the range of materials collected and collection systems used. Assessing the impact that the lack of uniformity has had on recycling performance, the SDC said: “This can create confusion for residents and particularly London's transient and mobile population.”

The SDC did claim that increases in recycling was seen as “one indication of people's commitment to leading more sustainable lifestyles” and that waste generated by London households had remained “fairly consistent since 2000”. However, the report said that recycling would continue to prove a “significant challenge” for the city.

Commenting on the report, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “At City Hall we have our shoulders firmly to the wheel to raise the quality of life for Londoners through improved transport, a greener environment, boosting recycling and cutting crime.”

As a whole, the report scored improvements in 11 indicators, these are: reporting of street crime; child care provision; reduced carbon emissions; air quality (PM10s), household recycling; life expectancy; secondary education; carbon efficiency; electoral turnout; volunteering; and bird populations.