Waste
National government policy defines the Council ’s statutory obligations for collecting waste. For example, the most recent ones include the Environment Act 2021, and the Resources and Waste Strategy 2018 which includes Simpler Recycling policy and guidance. This is focussed on the following and includes:
• Consistency in collections across local authorities, which requires all Councils to collect the same types of recycling, including food waste by March 2026 and soft plastics by March 2027.
• Extended producer responsibility, which is intended to shift the financial burden of dealing with packaging waste from local Councils to packaging producers.
• Deposit return scheme, which will enable residents to return containers for recycling at points across the borough.
• A revised Waste Prevention Programme on how to move towards a more resource-efficient economy, by reducing waste in the first place, and increasing recycling rates.