Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director - People

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director - People seeking approval to adopt the key principles set out in the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Zero Waste 2040 Strategic Framework to minimise waste related carbon emissions through actions to prevent, reduce, recycle and re-use waste.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)      the principles set out in the LCR Zero Waste 2040 Strategic Framework to reduce waste related carbon emissions be approved; and

(2)      the continued partnership working with Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) and the other LCR local authorities (LA’s) to deliver action to meet the Council’s individual and collective climate targets, be approved.

Reasons for the Decision:

Opportunities to prevent, reuse and recycle waste can significantly reduce waste and associated carbon emissions. With the right approach, these resources could be prevented in the first place, reused or recycled. Waste prevention and reuse projects can help to support local communities, save people money and help to tackle climate change. A focus on resources being returned to a local, circular economy will also create additional green jobs. Efforts must be focused on influencing behavioural change to reduce waste, avoid contamination, improve performance and protect society from the impacts of climate change.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Sefton Council is defined as a waste collection authority (WCA) with a legal duty to collect waste in its area but then consign this waste to the nominated waste disposal authority (WDA) in this case (MRWA) for processing and treatment. This relationship is set out in legislation. Sefton could choose to operate in isolation from the other LCR waste collection authorities, but this option would remove the opportunity to collaborate to share resources, opportunities and risk in dealing with a common goal to reduce waste and achieve our respective net zero targets.