Long-term place for recycling and waste set to progress

After a consultation last year, Leicestershire Waste Partnership updated its future blueprints – known as the Leicestershire Resources and Waste Strategy 2022 – 2050 - after more than 5,000 people had their say on the draft.

More than 80 percent of respondents were supportive of the partnership’s vision, which is to work towards a circular economy – keeping products in use for longer and preventing waste - and contribute to achieving net zero carbon by 2050 in Leicestershire.

The partnership’s plans for waste and recycling are now being finalised, with council meetings taking place in early 2023 to progress the strategy through to approval by councillors.

Included in the 12 pledges for the county is a commitment to deliver reuse services and encourage residents to prevent unnecessary waste in a bid to improve recycling rates, increase reuse, save raw materials and reduce carbon emissions.

An additional pledge has been added to reduce fly-tipping and litter across Leicestershire and educate residents, businesses, or anyone disposing of rubbish, about their legal duty of care to dispose of their rubbish responsibly.

Councillor Blake Pain, cabinet member for the environment and the green agenda said: “We’re making good progress so far as more than 40 per cent of all household waste is currently recycled, but it will take a team effort to reduce even more waste over the coming years. We all have a part to play to ensure Leicestershire is a cleaner, greener and healthier place to live and work." 

Councillor Joe Orton, leader of Melton Borough Council and spokesperson for the Leicestershire Waste Partnership said: “I’m pleased so many residents had their say on what happens to their future recycling and waste services. This revised strategy will help inform how Leicestershire will use its resources more efficiently and become a net zero carbon county.”

The responses highlighted several themes including encouraging and educating residents about the relationship between waste and climate change, putting pressure on packaging producers and there was support for a variety of materials collected at the kerbside.

An action plan and timeline has now been developed to track progress until 2050. Actions will be subject to funding and changes to Government policy, legislation and regulations, or other changes in circumstances.

The partnership is made up of Leicestershire County Council, Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Oadby and Wigston Borough Council.

All partner authorities will be feeding back through their own decision-making processes, and the updated plan is to be discussed at Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet on 10 February 2023.

When approved, the Resources and Waste Strategy will be available to view online: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/have-your-say/you-said-we-did/engagement-2022