Carbon emissions resulting from waste are some of the most difficult to calculate, and subsequently some of the most difficult to mitigate through action.
The basic principle of Reduce, Re-use, Recycle within the waste hierarchy has been consistently adopted across the city and this year's resulting actions follow that theme.
Alongside increasing recycling rates, actions also look to address the emissions once waste has been disposed of - from old landfill sites to where recycle is processed.
2.54 - Launch campaign to reduce waste generation (especially food waste) by 25% by 2025.
2.55 - Utilise community feedback, data evidence and behavioural change opportunities to commence new innovative approaches to reuse and recycling which will increase Plymouth's household and municipal recycling rates from 40% to 65% by 2025.
2.56 - Collect and utilise waste data intelligence to optimise service delivery by reducing frequency of collections and improving route planning and scheduling.
2.57 - Identify processing gaps within the South West region waste recycling and treatment facilities and make appropriate provision where gaps have been identified including working with partners to ensure that where practical and economical, recyclable material is processed and recycled in the UK.
2.58 - Lobby government to ensure its new Resource and Waste Strategy fully supports the need to address the climate emergency and provides local authorities with the powers and resources needed to increase recycling targets, food and garden waste management and additional measures to reduce the environmental impact of resource use and the creation of waste.
2.59 - Assess opportunities from closure of landfill to generate further methane capture and/or solar power generation, whilst maintaining the highest environmental standards until closure is achieved.