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The Green Party is calling upon the Mayor and all other political parties to commit to a target of sending zero waste to landfill by 2020. In addition, they are calling upon Mayor Ferguson to commit to expanding provision for re-use and repair to encourage Bristol’s emerging circular economy.
Anna McMullen, Green councillor for Easton said
“The recent decision to bring the waste contract back in-house offers opportunities for Bristol to set new standards for waste reduction”
She continued
“Waste re-use and remanufacturing has the potential to create up 20 jobs for every thousand tonnes diverted from landfill”
In 2014, the Green Alliance think-tank estimated that keeping just five materials (Wood, Textiles, Electronics, Food, and Plastics) out of landfill each year could create 47,500 jobs across the UK. It would also save emissions equivalent to that generated by 2.7m homes.(1)
Martin Fodor, Green councillor for Redland stated
“As the European Green Capital, Bristol needs to set new targets and objectives – it is not good enough to just compare ourselves to other UK authorities, we need to aim to be the best in Europe and beyond”
He continued
“We want to see waste increasingly seen as a useful resource to ensure that more gets reused and repaired. We’d like to see the Bristol Waste Company play a full part in innovations and experiments that foster and encourage these activities working in partnership with other Bristol organisations and groups. This partnership working should also link support for social enterprises and traders, skills development, new technology like 3D printing, and the use of vacant and under-used property so that reuse and repair can flourish.”
Daniella Radice, Green councillor for Bishopston and Assistant Mayor for Neighbourhoods which includes waste management said
“Bristol needs to be ambitious and holistic in its thinking about waste, I would like to engage the whole city in a conversation about the circular economy – making the most efficient use of our resources. At the same time we want to encourage reduction and re-use plus an increase in recycling rates. Landfill is always the worst option environmentally.”
Notes
1. http://www.backbench247.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Green-Alliance-More-jobs-less-carbon.pdf