The council, which currently recycles or composts around 13% of its waste and has targets of 33% household waste recycling by 2003-04 and 36% by 2005-06, opted for Zero Waste after leader of the Council Isobel Wilson attended a conference on the concept at the Liberal Democrats' Party Conference in Brighton (see letsrecycle.com story).
Commenting on the new waste strategy, Milton Keynes council environment cabinet member Douglas McCall said: “These are very challenging targets and we can only make it happen if all the citizens of Milton Keynes recognise the contribution they can make.
In its new waste strategy the council recognises the importance of the waste hierarchy – the reduction, re-use and recycling of waste before landfill – and has pledged to treat municipal waste within the local area, reduce the hazardousness of the city's waste and discourage the importation of waste from distances greater than 30 miles from Milton Keynes.
The strategy also recognises the importance of education, annual reviews in the light of new legislation and technology and the co-operation in partnerships with industry, residents and other local authorities in achieving zero waste.
Despite uncertainty surrounding future legislation, Milton Keynes council have proposed a return to weekly kerbside collection – glass, plastic, cans and paper – as well as a new green waste collection scheme in 2003-04 and a fourth Community Recycling Centre with improvements to existing sites.
Mr McCall said: “We are well placed now to make significant progress. We are working well with our contractors, new recycling sacks are being distributed now with weekly collections starting next month.”
Subscribe for free