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Waste reduction measures are the focus of new council committee

A City Council committee established to map the future of waste management in Aberdeen met for the first time today [11 October].

The inaugural meeting of the Zero Waste Management sub-committee set out the framework for delivering ambitious recycling targets set by the Scottish Government, European Union and Aberdeen City Council itself.

Councillors on the sub-committee were presented with a project initiation document which outlined the objections, governance and approach that will be taken to try to achieve these goals. It also included details of the Aberdeen City Waste Strategy 2010-2025 which was adopted by councillors in April last year and aims to:

• eliminate waste growth by 2015;

• increase waste recycling and organic waste treatment to 45% by 2013, 50% by 2020 and 56% by 2025;

• introduce organic waste collections for all households and develop treatment facilities in Aberdeen by 2013.

Sub-committee members agreed to a visit to councils in London where recycling collections from multi-occupancy areas have been a success. They also agreed appointments to the project board, which comprises the council’s Director of Housing and Environment Pete Leonard, Head of Environment Services Mark Reilly, Head of Finance Barry Jenkins and external advisor Alastair Young of the Scottish Futures Trust. The council’s Waste and Recycling Manager Peter Lawrence was also confirmed as project manager.

He said: “Far reaching and structural change in waste management services is required to meet national and European obligations, mitigate increasing costs, reduce the city’s environmental impact and meet householders’ expectations.

“Substantial changes in waste collections systems will be required as well as the need to build waste infrastructure in the city. The project will identify the best waste collection and treatment options for the council’s waste and then develop a business case to deliver this preferred option.”

Committee convener Councillor Aileen Malone said: “We have made progress in recycling and composting but much more needs to be done both in providing additional services but also at an individual level.

“The days of leaving a landfill legacy for future generations are over but only if we all take responsibility for the fate of our waste by individually making an effort to reduce waste then segregate materials for recycling and accept the need for carefully sited and appropriately sized waste treatment facilities in the city.”

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