Waste management issue
Traditionally London has disposed of its waste by buying it in landfill. Space in landfill sites is simply running out. Twinned with an increased level of consumption and waste, the demand for more sustainable methods of waste management are crucial.
Whilst recycling is increasing, London continues to generate waste at an unsustainable rate. Each person in the UK generates just over half a tonne of household waste a year on average. (Defra). www.defra.gov.uk
The government has set out a hierarchy of waste management options, below:
1. waste prevention
2. waste reduction
2. reuse
3. recovery (recycling and composting)
4. energy recovery
5. disposal
The top three are the preferred options: waste prevention, reduction and reuse. Recycling is the next option and there is debate around the environmental impacts around energy recovery.
We are working with the waste and recycling industry to to bring new technologies to sustainbly manage London‘s waste and use it’s valuable materials.
