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Bath & North East Somerset Council | |||
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WASTE MANAGEMENT SUB-COMMITTEE |
AGENDA | |
MEETING DATE: |
6TH NOVEMBER 2001 | ||
TITLE: |
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WARD: |
ALL | ||
AN OPEN PUBLIC ITEM | |||
List of attachments to this report: None | |||
1 THE ISSUE
1.1 Members have agreed to adopt a vision for zero waste within the council's consultation draft waste strategy. This report clarifies the principles relating to the vision of zero waste which is being developed internationally.
2 RECOMMENDATION
2.1 That members reaffirm their commitment to a long term vision of zero waste based on the principles outlined in this report sections 4.2-4.8.
2.2 That this vision is included in the consultation draft waste strategy.
2.3 That clear targets to achieve this vision are identified through the development of the waste strategy and through future reports to this committee.
3 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
3.1 The zero waste vision dictates that resources be allocated to minimising waste production and recovering value from waste.
4 THE REPORT
4.1 Zero waste programs are now unfolding around the globe, being pioneered in America, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
4.2 The concept of zero waste is a `whole system approach' to the flow of resources through society, based on the vision that waste can be eliminated by the efficient use of resources. Moving away from the "take-make-waste" society will change the way resources flow through society and communities, leading to substantial environmental, economic, and social benefits.
4.3 Zero waste is an approach which not only encourages waste diversion through recycling and resource recovery, but is a guiding design philosophy for eliminating waste at source and at all points down the supply chain.
4.4 Zero waste goes beyond recycling in that it reclassifies waste as a mixture of resources to be used to their full potential. The concept reduces consumption at the outset and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled, discarding the idea of "waste".
4.5 Zero waste cannot be achieved by local government alone as it involves all sectors of the supply chain from design, production, manufacturing, retail etc. However Bath & North East Somerset Council can take the lead with a zero waste vision, by raising awareness in the local community, and encouraging community, business and householder participation.
4.6 Developing a clear vision such as zero waste will create a climate for continual improvement within B&NES.
4.7 B&NES can take a lead in developing further contracts and measures which prioritise material and resource recovery over disposal, and could commission new local resource recovery facilities.
4.8 By adopting the vision of zero waste within it's waste strategy, B&NES will shape it's policies for the future through an innovative concept which is not as yet being widely pioneered in the UK.
Contact person |
Carol Tunnard, Waste Management Officer Tel: (01225) 394106 |
Background papers |
The End of Waste, Zero Waste by 2020. www.zerowaste.co.nz A full copy of this report can be downloaded from this website. |
MEETING: