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Introduction
To reduce the carbon impact from our waste activities, Dorset must work towards creating a more sustainable and efficient circular economy. This means reducing the amount of waste we produce by keeping resources in use for as long as possible and recovering and reusing products and materials wherever we can.
As the body responsible for household waste in the county, Dorset Council is in a strong position to help facilitate this change through direct, indirect, and influential initiatives.
After detailed evidence and information gathering exercises, led by the EAP and carried out by officer working groups, it has been recommended that the Council implement the following 16 actions in relation to Waste.
Milestones have been identified for each action. This plan shows the immediate targets we will need to achieve by 2023 to keep us on track.
Objective 1
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Become a low Waste Council by 2040 |
Direct, indirect | Low | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability, enhances heath and wellbeing | Medium |
| Actions | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-23 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue to work towards our commitment to become single-use plastic-free & eliminate the use of all single life products |
Direct | Low | Improves ecology, enhances heath and wellbeing | None | All possible single use plastic removed from Council premises by Sept 2022 |
| Increase scope of Single-Use Plastic Team to include non-recyclable products | Direct | Low | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability | None | Plan to remove non–recyclable products implemented by Dec 2022 |
Carry out internal waste audits across our operations & create waste reduction plan supported by targeted campaigns |
Direct | None | None | Low |
|
Work with Council tenants and concessions to reduce food waste and promote less packaging |
Indirect | Low | None | None | Future target beyond 2023 |
Develop campaigns to minimise waste by Dorset Council staff e.g. Reuse incoming packaging to Dorset Council, such as boxes for outgoing orders and envelopes for sending internal mail, cancel subscriptions, reduce printing etc. |
Direct | None | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability | Medium |
|
Ensure Dorset Council waste is minimised through procurement e.g. Investigate potential for Dorset Council suppliers to take back packaging, or using reusable packaging systems |
Direct | None | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability | None | Waste minimisation included in procurement guidance by Dec 2021 |
Ensure all reusable furniture is donated |
Direct | Low | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability | None | Facilities to ensure all reusable furniture is donated from Mar 2021 |
Develop waste policy based on audit findings |
Direct | None | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability | None | DC Waste Policy developed from audit findings by March 2022 |
Develop waste communications plan and provide containers for all DC staff & buildings |
Direct | None | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability | Low |
|
Objective 2
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Support the transition to a Circular Economy in Dorset |
Indirect | Medium | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability, enhances heath and wellbeing | Low |
| Actions | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-23 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carry out scenario modelling for waste collection and treatment options in order to establish appropriate waste infrastructure to support the circular economy |
Indirect | Medium | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability | Low | Scenario modelling completed with recommendations submitted |
Implement findings of scenario modelling |
Indirect | Medium | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability, enhances heath and wellbeing | None | Site search of relevant infrastructure completed by 2023 |
| Liaise with Waste Services on planning any major developments | Indirect | Medium | Improves ecology | None | Links to waste services included in planning department process by March 2021 |
Objective 3
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reduce the amount of waste produced in Dorset |
Indirect | Medium | Improves ecology, enhances heath and wellbeing | None |
| Actions | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-23 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Develop targeted campaigns to reduce the amount of waste produced in Dorset and increase recycling and reuse | Indirect | Medium | Improves ecology, enhances heath and wellbeing | None | Programme updated and initiated |
Objective 4
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Encourage greater re-use of waste in Dorset |
Indirect | Low | Improves ecology, enhances heath and wellbeing | Medium |
| Actions | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-23 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Explore the development of repair cafes and library of things. |
Indirect | Low | Improves ecology, enhances heath and wellbeing | Medium | Budget allocated and staff in place for |
Objective 5
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reduce emissions from waste fleet |
Direct | Low | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability, enhances heath and wellbeing | None |
| Actions | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-23 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Work with fleet manager to reduce emissions from waste collection vehicles, through route optimisation |
Direct | Low | Improves ecology, encourages economic sustainability, enhances heath and wellbeing | None |
|
Objective 6
| Objective | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Reduce littering & fly-tipping |
Partnership/influence | Low | Improves ecology, enhances heath and wellbeing | None |
| Actions | Action type | CO2 saving potential | Co-benefits | Cost | 2021-23 target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Continue to work with the Police, Environment Agency & community groups to reduce littering & fly tipping |
Partnership/influence | Low | Improves ecology, enhances heath and wellbeing | None | Meetings held with |