An ambitious vision that sets out a pathway to a zero-waste future for Kirklees has been approved by full council.
The Kirklees Resources and Waste Strategy for 2021-2030 is the council’s new innovative plan which outlines a partnership with all residents and businesses.
The strategy, approved at Full Council on 8 September, will now be adopted.
The plan has six priorities that aim to help deliver the council’s vision of a clean, green, sustainable future for Kirklees with zero waste to landfill.
These priorities are: a place-based approach to dealing with waste and recycling; achieving a recycling rate of at least 70 per cent at Household Waste and Recycling Centres; recycling at least 55 per cent of municipal waste; reusing or recycling as much as possible; ensuring that the environment across the district is clean, green, and inviting; and leading by example across the council services.
Kirklees’ ambition is to be at the forefront of the national drive towards tackling climate change, eliminating waste and valuing resources by empowering residents to live more sustainably. And by equipping residents and businesses with the right facilities and knowledge, they can better contribute to and benefit from Kirklees’ sustainability success.
Strong partnerships across private, public, and voluntary sectors will help Kirklees work together to build a circular economy and reduce what is sent for disposal or recycling.
Ensuring Kirklees has modern, sustainable services is key to this vision. Part of this will be to increase recyclable materials collected at the kerbside and that a recycling service is available to all schools, businesses, and charities within the borough.
Finally, education, starting in schools but also reaching out into the community through the use of volunteer Recycling Champions, will help to make sure that all residents have the knowledge and are empowered to take small steps to make a difference.
Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:
“I’m delighted that the Kirklees Resources and Waste Strategy has been approved and we can begin to implement these plans.
“We’re a council with real ambition and this strategy will help bring all people of Kirklees onboard so we can work towards the national drive of tackling climate change together.
“This strategy is underpinned by our ambition to achieve zero waste to landfill, we will only achieve this if we work together to reduce, reuse, and recycle more.
“Education is one of the keys to the success of this strategy, which is why we plan to work with schools, colleges, and universities as well as residents and businesses to minimise waste.”
For more information on the waste strategy visit www.kirklees.gov.uk/