A new Zero Waste Strategy, aiming to dramatically reduce waste and boost recycling across the Liverpool City Region, has been endorsed by Knowsley Council’s Cabinet.
The plan aims to minimise waste, increase recycling and take action to reduce the cost of processing and disposal of waste. In addition, it will support the reduction of carbon emissions – a key theme in the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.
The plan builds upon the LCR’s commitment to tackling climate change and creating a more sustainable environment. It sets ambitious targets, including:
- reducing our black bag rubbish (general waste) by 50% (of 2019 levels) by 2040 and
- recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035.
In January 2020, Knowsley Council declared a Climate Emergency, and set a target of Net Zero carbon emissions from the Council’s estate and services by 2040, alongside a commitment to working with partnership organisations to reduce emissions within the wider Borough.
The Joint Zero Waste Strategy follows the key themes and strategic outcomes outlined in the LCR Zero Waste Strategic Framework – People, Planet and Economy. It recognises the importance of working with residents and communities to understand attitudes and encourage positive change towards less wasteful behaviours.
Following approval of the LCR Zero Waste Strategy, Knowsley Council’s Waste Management Service will begin the development of the local ‘Knowsley Recycling and Waste Strategy’ which will underpin the wider LCR approach to achieving zero waste.