London to collaborate with European capitals in circular economy drive
London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen will take part in a collaboration, which will develop practical projects in order to accelerate the circular economy.
Representatives from the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) discussed the venture at the ‘Circular Cities and Government’ conference held at City Hall in London today (4 March).
The first project will involve LWARB, GLA and officers from Amsterdam and Copenhagen working together to design a project that will improve the capture of plastics.
It is hoped the collaboration will spread to other projects, allowing each participating city to share information and experience of the development and delivery of circular economy action plans.
Route map to the circular economy
LWARB has not only committed to the promotion of producing less waste, it also aims to increase recycling and reuse. The organisation produced a report in December 2015 entitled ‘Towards a Circular Economy,’ which outlined five areas to act as an initial focus due to their high environmental impact, retained financial value and potential for reuse. These are the built environment, food, textiles, electrical and plastics.
Digital, finance, media, higher education and government sectors were also identified as those with the skills and experience necessary to support and aid the switch to a circular economy.
LWARB has been asked by the Mayor of London to produce a ‘route map to the circular economy’ in London. The chapters of this report are due to be published early this year.
Partnership will 'boost the capital’s thriving green economy'
Discussing the collaboration, Matthew Pencharz, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, said: “London, along with Amsterdam and Copenhagen, is at the forefront of the circular economy and this partnership will help develop sustainable projects that will boost the capital’s thriving green economy.”
Abdeluheb Choho, Deputy Mayor of Sustainability, City of Amsterdam, added: “In a densely populated country like the Netherlands we think carefully about the logistics of our resources. With the city growing we are looking to implement smart solutions. We already have great projects concerning a circular economy, and are eager to make the transition to a larger scale.
“We would like to collaborate with London and Copenhagen as front running cities and share knowledge and successful practices ‘.
Morten Kabell, Copenhagen’s Mayor for Technical and Environmental Affairs, concluded: “We have got to rethink the way we live. Sustainability and green economy are key words for the evolution in Copenhagen and I’m sure that the collaboration with London and Amsterdam will be a guarantee for progress on circular economy”.
