South West Devon Waste Partnership

Introduction

For years councils have used landfill sites to get rid of our rubbish. Although recycling has improved so that less waste is going to landfill, we still need to look at new options. Environmental concerns and new European laws which fine councils exceeding strict landfill limits mean that we must consider other ways to manage our waste disposal.

The challenge of developing a sustainable waste management solution is not unique - all councils are faced with the issue. Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and Torbay Council have joined together as the South West Devon Waste Partnership to work on the problem. As a partnership, the councils have applied for government funding to help cover the costs of the providing a new waste treatment process.

This website outlines the issues behind our review of waste management, the work of the partnership and the next steps.

Background

Like other authorities, Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council and Torbay Council have been working to increase domestic recycling levels, and raise public awareness of the need to recycle.

Devon has achieved the third highest recycling rate in the country, reaching 50.5% in 2007, whilst Plymouth has accomplished 31.2% and Torbay 28.2%.

This success has been achieved thanks to help from local residents, and through significant investment by the councils and partners into waste management systems and increasing public awareness.

However, the European Union has created a new directive that means that the partnership, like other local authorities, need to consider different ways to manage waste disposal.

The EU Landfill Directive and the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) has set annual landfill limits for local authorities, which decrease every year. They will impose fines of £150 per tonne for each tonne of biodegradable waste that is landfilled above those limits.

Even if recycling rates increased dramatically and waste growth stabilises, we could not meet our landfill targets and there would still be waste that needs disposal. In fact, this could be over 200,000 tonnes a year from the partnership area.

So, in order to avoid severe financial penalties, which could affect council tax bills, and to address a growing number of environmental concerns, we need to find new ways to deal with our waste.

• Visit the environment page for more information
• Visit the local situation page for more information