Comment

Representation ID: 16557

Received: 11/10/2021

Respondent: Friends of the Earth Stourbridge

Waste: (BC Plan pg. 296 – 331)
Producing and distributing things we buy consumes fossil fuels and contributes to
increased greenhouse gas emissions. What we discard generates more greenhouse
gas emissions by its being transported away and then processed for example by
incineration. It follows therefore that we must reduce our consumption to reduce
harmful emissions by re-using, repairing and repurposing what we already have.
Dudley reuses, recycles and composts only 38% of its household waste.
Some waste disposal is contracted out in the borough and some waste still
goes to landfill.
Our aim is for Dudley Borough to be a zero-waste area by 2030 where all
waste reused or recycled as part of a circular economy approach. The
official government target for Dudley is 68%. Friends of the Earth’s target
is 100%
The Council should Implement food waste recycling by 2023. This will be a national
requirement. Use food waste according to the food waste hierarchy of prevent,
reuse, recycle and ensure non-recyclable biodegradeable waste is used to make
biogas. A local composting scheme would also be effective and useful for green
management.
Our target for Dudley is to cease sending domestic and industrial waste to landfill
either in the UK or abroad by the Council and or it’s contractors by 2025.
We would like to see Dudley MBC promote reduction of waste at source by installing
water taps in public places to reduce single use plastics. The Council should increase
capacity to recycle a wider range of plastics and other materials. Work with
businesses and services to reduce waste at source and take greater responsibility for
recycling. Promote plastic free status for all community and town centres including
single use vending machines in council facilities such as leisure centres.
The Council needs to work more closely with the local community and conservation
groups to achieve ‘clear water’ by removing dumped waste and single use plastics
from watercourses in the borough.