Recycling and Waste Reduction Targets

In 2000 the Government produced a National Waste Strategy, which set statutory recycling targets for each Council within the country. The targets were based on performance in 1998/99.

National recycle and composting rates must reach at least:

40% by 2010

45% by 2015

50% by 2020

This strategy was a huge success, here at North West Leicestershire we saw our recycling rate soar from 6% in 2002/3 to around 35% in 2006/7. This was an outstanding achievement and we have moved on from there by reaching 39% in 2007/8. These achievements are a great start, but we must keep striving.

A new National Waste Strategy was created in 2007, this aimed at higher goals and tougher targets. The strategy comments that reducing waste is an important contributor to its goals. Each year we generate about 100 million tonnes of waste from households, commerce and industry. Most of this ends up in landfill where the biodegradable part generates methane (a potent greenhouse gas) while valuable energy is used in extracting and processing new raw materials.

The aim must be to reduce waste by making products with fewer natural resources. We must break the link between economic growth and waste growth. Most products should be re-used or their materials recycled. Energy should be recovered from other wastes where possible. For a small amount of residual material, landfill will be necessary.

Local Targets

All the councils within Leicestershire are working within the Leicestershire Waste Management Partnership to improve recycling performance across the County.

In partnership with other district's and the County we are producing a Leicestershire Waste Strategy that sets out our vision for waste management until 2020.

Within the strategy ambitious recycling and composting targets have been set:

• 40% of municipal waste by 2007
• 50% of municipal waste by 2010
• 58% of municipal waste by 2017

If you are interested in finding more about the Leicestershire Waste Partnership visit www.lesswaste.org.uk

Recycling and Composting Figures 2011 - 08