Waste Prevention
Why is waste prevention important?
Information for residents
Information for businesses
In north London we generate almost a million tonnes of waste every year - enough to fill 8 football stadiums top to bottom.
The amount of waste we produce is rising and it is estimated that by 2020 we will be generating up to 44% more (another 4 football stadiums!).
Although recycling reduces the amount of waste being landfilled it does not reduce the amount of waste we all produce.
Throwing away rubbish is expensive and damages the environment. It wastes the energy and materials needed to make the products we all use and contributes to climate change.
The majority of waste disposed in North London is sent to landfill, with the remainder sent for incineration. Because space is fast running out, the Government introduced a tax on every tonne of waste sent to landfill. This tax will continue to rise until 2011 by which time the tax alone will be £48 per tonne - around 8 times the cost to landfill a tonne of waste in 1996.
In addition, since October 2007 there is a requirement that all waste sent to landfill is pre-treated prior to disposal. This means that the cost of waste disposal is likely to rise even further in coming years.
We all have a role to play in preventing waste – right from the product designer to the retailer, the consumer and the local authority as collector of the waste.
With your help we plan to reduce rubbish in north London by up to 80,000 tonnes - to find out how please look at our Waste Prevention Plan at www.nlwa.gov.uk/downloads/North_London_Waste_Prevention_Plan.pdf.
You can find out what your local council is doing to reduce waste where you live by visiting:
www.barnet.gov.uk/index/environment-planning/rubbish-waste-and-recycling/waste-minimisation.htm
www.camden.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/recycling-and-waste/reducing-your-waste/
www.enfield.gov.uk/851/index851.htm
www.hackney.gov.uk/wasteprevention
www.islington.gov.uk/Environment/RubbishAndRecycling/334.asp
www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/environment/rubbish-recycling.htm
Information for residents:
Reducing the amount of waste we produce is easy and can save money. Follow these useful tips for an emptier bin, a fuller bank account and a healthier environment:
• By taking your own bag when you go shopping you can help reduce the 10billion plastic bags that are handed out by supermarkets each year
• Registering with the Mailing Preference Service allows you to avoid unwanted junk mail being sent to your home. This is a free service, to register visit: www.mpsonline.org.uk/mpsr/
• Buy only the food you need – WRAP estimates that we throw away a third of the food we buy every year (approx £460 worth!), food that could have been eaten. For recipes and tips to reduce your food waste visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
• Buy unpackaged products (like loose fruit and vegetables)
• Borrow books from your local library rather than buy new ones
• Use real nappies as an alternative to disposable nappies. Residents of all seven north London boroughs can claim the £54 nappy subsidy via their local council. To find out more contact your local council
• Compost at home – this enables you to divert some of your food and garden waste away from landfill
• Try to repair things before throwing them away and buying new ones
• Give unwanted items a second chance by taking them to charity shps. To find charity shops in your area, use this charity shop locator
• Join your local Freecycle™ group. Freecycle™ is a way that people who have things they want to get rid of can find people who can use them. To find your local group go to www.nlwa.gov.uk/html/links.asp
• If you can’t reuse furniture and appliances give them to someone who can - ReStore Community Projects is a registered charity which recycles and reuses domestic furniture and appliances for the benefit of people in need. ReStore collects furniture and appliances from households, hotels, recycling centres and other locations, visit www.restorecommunityprojects.org/ for more information.
Information for businesses:
If you are a local business wanting to reduce the amount of waste you create then we have produced a range of waste reduction resources, including posters, counter displays, and a guide to waste prevention in business, which can help you.
You can download these resources free of charge:
Waste prevention in business
The true cost of waste disposal to a business is up to 4.5% of its annual turnover!
This handy guide provides you with useful tips and advice for reducing the amount of waste you produce whilst saving money.
Coming shortly
If you are based in Islington a separate guide is available here
Posters for restaurants
Posters for retail
For further information on waste prevention for business go to www.envirowise.gov.uk/adviceline
Envirowise also has panel of expert advisors able to provide free, confidential and independent advice on all aspects of resource efficiency and environmental issues for businesses within the UK.
If you have a specific enquiry or wish to discuss waste minimisation and environmental legislation, please contact the Advice Line either by telephone or email via the website.
Call the Advice Line on 0800 585 794
Run by fully trained staff and supported by environmental specialists, the Advice Line is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday; you can also leave a message outside of these hours.
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