That was one of the recommendations from the London Councils, which has launched its vision to improve the way the capital manages rubbish.

The organisation’s Transport and Environment Committee argued that it was sensible to keep an open mind about incineration in case “unproven green technologies” could not cope with all of the capital’s waste.

It also set an ambitious goal for the city to stop sending any of its waste to landfill by 2028.

The vision urged London Mayor Boris Johnson to revise targets for self-sufficient treatment of waste written in the London Plan.

The committee said London Boroughs should be allowed to treat waste at the nearest appropriate location, rather than being forced to manage their waste within rigid regional boundaries.

Councillor Daniel Moylan, chairman of the committee, said: “We have set out both the approach and the policies the Mayor must consider when he comes to revise London’s municipal waste strategy.

“Working in partnership with the boroughs, Mr Johnson can make the capital a shining example for other major global cities to follow.”

The councils’ vision also recommends minimising waste by making producers take more responsibility for it, more exploration of ways to deal with food waste, and consistency with UK and EU waste policies.

The boroughs have previously said that they believe the key to improving the capital’s waste management will depend on effective collaboration between the Greater London Authority and London’s waste authorities.

The publication of the vision comes ahead of the Mayor’s review of the city’s municipal waste strategy, Rethinking Rubbish.

Read the London Councils’ proposals for waste in the capital here.

Kate Martin

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