NEW plans for waste management in Lewisham will focus on preventing waste and boosting recycling, as a part of the 2030 zero-emissions scheme.
The aim of the strategy is to use resources for a longer period and by also tackling waste crime and boosting food waste recycling.
The council encourages residents and businesses to move towards a “circular economy”.
Cabinet member for the Environment and Transport, Cllr Patrick Codd, said: “We need to focus on reducing and reusing resources first and foremost.
"The new waste strategy will help us do this by supporting our move towards a circular economy.
“This scheme will focus on preventing waste by repurposing, repairing, and exchanging items locally.
“The strategy will also be strengthening our local economy and bringing businesses and communities together.”
The council say they already have taken “significant steps” to tackle waste crime in the borough.
A spokesperson for Lewisham council said: “We have also set up an environmental crime team who engage with residents to ensure that they know how to responsibly dispose of unwanted items.
“The team will also enforce the small minority who commit waste crimes - including issuing fines for residents and businesses who are caught fly-tipping.”
The amount of waste from households across Lewisham has decreased by 27 per cent, according to the council.
The number of rubbish that is sent for reuse, recycling or composting has increased by nine per cent, as revealed by Lewisham’s waste management strategy.
Lewisham council says they have an aim to create a “greener Lewisham” in the coming years.
The council spokesperson said: “The new strategy will go together with the councils wider work in recent years to create a greener Lewisham, which includes planting 24,000 trees and building adult learning centres and council homes.
“We will also be introducing 26 school streets to help children walk and cycle to school safely.”
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