Lib Dems support new waste strategy

12.30.46pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th Oct 2006

The Liberal Democrat group on Norwich City Council have strongly supported the introduction of a new waste management strategy to deal with the City's rubbish.

The Government have set Norwich a new target for recycling - 20% of household waste collected must be recycled by March 2008. The Liberal Democrats believe that tough action to stick to the Council's new Integrated Waste Management Strategy will be needed to achieve this target, and to set a sustainable and achievable strategy for dealing with waste for the next 5 years.

As a result of the strategy it is hoped that residents will see a more efficient and effective recycling service and better understand the importance of waste minimisation and recycling.

Councillor Judith Lubbock who is a member of the Integrated Waste Management Committee commented,

"We have a short time scale in which to achieve a 4.2% increase on the Council's current recycling performance, so we must have the public on board to support and get involved in the projects.

"'Quick Win' projects, such as recycling road sweepings, a prototype garden waste collection scheme, and the setting up of mini recycling banks in the city show the Council's commitment to the targets. However public engagement and endorsement will be critical to the success of the projects.

"We can learn much from other authorities who are already recycling much more than Norwich. This is especially the case in terms of getting more people to participate in recycling. There are many initiatives to copy such as York's 'Doorsteppers' who are employed to go out and speak to residents and give advice on recycling their waste. Some authorities introduce an element of competition between areas or offer prizes as incentives to those who participate. Norwich needs to take action to educate the public about the consequences of not recycling - such as higher landfill charges and Council Tax -and encourage people to take part."