Waste strategies for local authorities in the UK: a systematic approach

The Waste Strategy 2000 for England and Wales focused upon the increasing necessity to minimise the volumes of waste we produce from industrial, commercial and domestic sources in order to reduce environmental impacts through better management of our valuable, but ever-shrinking, resources. The introduction of statutory targets has had a big impact on local authorities; many have struggled to produce waste strategies for their region simply because it is a hugely complex task that needs to address an enormous number of issues, including:• the collection, disposal, recycling, composting, minimisation, etc of all types of wastes;• financial and legal requirements and implications;• tendering and contracting;• best value, the proximity principle, integrated pollution prevention and control, etc;• sustainability;• local socio-economic and demographic factors;• practical implementation processes;• public consultation;• future requirements;• political considerations; and• many others!This paper proposes a standard approach to writing a waste strategy for a local authority based upon practical experiences, case studies and consultation with a range of relevant bodies. The paper proposes that the task should be divided into two distinct components. Local authorities should critically review and evaluate their current waste strategy to provide a baseline starting point for the second part, which is to devise a costed, implementation plan for the authority for the time period under consideration, including a waste awareness and environmental education programme. Key issues that require addressing and guidance on the layered approach to strategy development are provided.