Mayor plans to boost recycling by London’s businesses
May 21, 2007 at 9:13 am
London produces over 18 million tonnes of waste every year, three quarters of which comes from business. Recognising climate change as ‘the single biggest threat to the future development of human civilisation’, Mayor Ken Livingston has published a Draft Waste Management Strategy in a bid to reduce London’s carbon footprint through partnership with businesses and the waste sector.
The Mayor expressed frustration over his limited influence on waste management in London. He suggested that a single waste disposal authority for the capital would enable him to ensure more business waste is recycled or used a source of renewable energy. Advocating a partnership approach, he stressed the need to end dependence on landfill and incineration.
The draft strategy envisages 70% of commercial and industrial waste being recycled or composted by 2020, with recycling and reuse levels in construction, demolition and excavation waste expected to reach 95% by 2020. The Mayor aims to raise awareness of sustainable business practices and the financial savings they can bring.
Consultation on the draft strategy will now take place with the London Assembly and functional bodies of the Greater London Authority.
Leave a Reply