Mayor calls for single waste authority and increased facilities for London

The consultation on an early alteration to the London Plan shows that an extra 208 recycling plants and over 60 composting facilities are needed in London. These would allow 45% of municipal waste and 70% of business waste to be recycled.

It would also reduce the amount of waste currently going to landfill.

“In London, we need to be more self-sufficient in the way we manage our waste – currently most of our municipal waste is taken to landfill dumps in areas outside the city, which is completely unacceptable.”

The Mayor has a target of managing 85% of London’s municipal waste within the city’s boundaries. He hinted at greater use of waste-to-energy plants to produce renewable energy and hydrogen.

“The lack of London-wide government after the abolition of the GLC has hampered the strategic management of London’s municipal waste and now is time for this to change. This is why I want a single waste authority for London to plan and build these new facilities,” he said.

His plan identifies where the new facilities could be situated. The Mayor added that it would provide a welcome boost to the expansion of London’s “green economy” through creation of new jobs and opportunities from recycling and reprocessing.

The initial consultation draft alterations have to be considered by the Assembly and Greater London Authority Group, but the Mayor is also keen to hear form all interested stakeholders and London boroughs.

By David Hopkins