Government

LWARB to target recycling in flats in London with new scheme

The London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) has announced the creaton of a ‘Flats Taskforce’ with the aim of helping Londoners living in blocks of flats recycle more using bespoke interventions.

LWARB to target recycling in flats in London with new schemeCreation of the taskforce is part of a new business plan approved by the board yesterday (14 March).

Initiatives designed by the programme will look at improving access to waste services provided to flats across the capital, as well as residents’ awareness of them.

LWARB, which works with London’s borough councils to promote waste prevention and recycling through a range of programmes, will invest £1 million in the taskforce and is seeking partners to contribute additional income to the project.

The programme is due to start work in the summer, and will be part of continuing work by LWARB’s Resource London programme – a partnership with WRAP – to drive up recycling performance across the capital.

Investment programme to accelerate circular development

The new business plan covers the period 2017-2020 and establishes how LWARB aims to help the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s pledge to accelerate the development of the circular economy in London.

LWARB says that the mayor has set challenges to:

  • achieve a 65 per cent recycling rate for the waste from London’s residents and businesses by 2030;
  • realise the economic value that reuse, repair, remanufacturing and materials innovation can bring to London, creating jobs and making the transition to a circular economy; and
  • put London on track to be a zero carbon city by 2050.

Around £50 million, including external project and partner contributions, will be invested over the plan’s three years into LWARB’s three programmes – Resource London, the programme of support for London’s waste authorities; Advance London, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises; and Circular London, which aims to accelerate London’s transition to a more circular economy.

As well as the Flats Taskforce, a series of financial instruments aimed at accelerating the circular economy in London were announced yesterday.

These will include a £3-million Circular Economy Accelerator programme, a £14-million circular economy venture capital fund and a £1.5-million investment into a larger circular economy business development capital fund.

The investment programme will give free help and advice to SMEs in London to aid them in moving towards a circular business model, while also identifying emerging opportunities and demonstrating the value of a circular economy. Details of this funding will be announced by LWARB ‘shortly’.

Plan must be ‘flexible’ to adapt to Mayor’s developing policies

Commenting on the new plan, Dr Liz Goodwin, who was last month appointed as the new Chair of LWARB, said: “I am determined that LWARB will continue to make a significant contribution to help London be a global leader in sustainable resource management.

“This business plan describes the way in which LWARB will support delivery against some challenging objectives through its pioneering programmes of work. We know that the plan and LWARB will need to be flexible and adapt as the mayor’s policies develop, but the need for action is such that we have decided to publish this plan now.”

Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Shirley Rodrigues, added: “This dynamic business plan will help accelerate local recycling rates, boost green businesses and cut waste across London.

“We need to make reducing waste easier and I’m really pleased LWARB will be investigating new ways to help the thousands of Londoners living in flats gain better access to recycling facilities. It is really important to support the rapid growth of the ‘reuse and regenerate’ circular economy and help new businesses succeed in this exciting sector.”

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