Waste strategy: our vision for more sustainable waste management

Why sustainable waste management important

This strategy recognises the impact that waste management can have on the environment.

Dealing with waste uses energy to collect and transport it, using fossil fuels which when burned release greenhouse gases (including methane and carbon dioxide), contributing to climate change.

The strategy also considers the wider environmental impact of items that we use in our daily lives and recognises that the impact on the environment does not begin when things are thrown away.

The extraction of raw materials from the earth, material processing, manufacturing and transport are all stages in the process that use energy and emit greenhouse gases.

Recycling uses fewer natural resources from the earth and less energy to produce the same new product.

Recycling and composting reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with landfill and incineration.

This strategy is underpinned by the principles of the waste hierarchy that prioritise not producing waste in the first place, then reusing it followed by recycling and composting.

A case for change

The policy drivers and research carried out in preparation for this strategy has demonstrated the need for change in frontline service delivery.

This is summarised below:

• we have pledged to increase recycling rates and reduce carbon footprint as detailed in the 2020 to 2024 corporate plan
• we have a legal obligation to apply the waste hierarchy by reducing, reusing and recycling as much of the waste we collect as possible
• we need a service that will comply with central government's future direction regarding consistency of collections
• the current service does not encourage waste minimisation because it offers unlimited collections of general waste
• we need to offer a wider range of recycling services to meet resident expectations as highlighted in the customer engagement exercise
• we have committed to work with our Hampshire partners to ensure that the future collection service is compatible with future waste and recycling transfer and processing arrangements
• we need to improve the cleanliness of the district's streets, by minimising waste from split bags and the associated litter
• we need to reduce the quantity of single-use sacks distributed per year, currently numbering 10 million
• we need to ensure that our staff are protected from the risks associated with waste and recycling collections, and meet regulatory standards
• we need a collection system that allows us to provide feedback directly to residents when services are used incorrectly, for example where the wrong items are placed into recycling containers. This will enable us to educate and help bring about behaviour change. This will improve performance, by reducing waste and improving recycling

Our aims and objectives

Our aim

We aim to provide the New Forest with a cost and carbon efficient recycling and waste service, that maximises the recovery and recycling of valuable natural resources and meets the needs and expectations of our residents.

We will ensure that this service is compliant with forthcoming national legislation and compatible with any new working arrangements with our Hampshire partners.

Objectives

Objective 1

Minimise carbon impact of waste/recycling service

We are committed to taking all possible measures to help tackle climate change. We can do this by considering the carbon impact of each element of our waste collection service.

Objective 2

Increase quality and quantity of recycling

Our recycling rate is currently low when compared to other authorities, ranking 174th out of 216 waste collection authorities in England.

Future recycling rate targets set by the government will not be met without service changes.

Contamination (non-recyclable items) within the recycling is also increasing, and we need to be able to provide feedback directly to residents to educate and help bring about behaviour change.

Objective 3

Reduce levels of overall household waste

Waste reduction remains top of the waste hierarchy; therefore, we must implement all possible actions proven to reduce levels of waste.

Objective 4

Legislative and regulatory compliance

As a waste collection authority, we are required to comply with any legislation that central government pass in relation to waste collection services.

Failing to meet requirements on current and new legislation or meet health and safety standards for staff may result in penalties for us.