London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

and cost) are likely to result in delays for any new infrastructure coming on-line, with
much of it being located outside of London.
Waste Producers and Behaviour
7.14. The study identified a number of key findings with respect to non-municipal waste
producers (ie. commercial and industrial companies) and their behaviour. The vast
majority (>99%) of such companies in London are small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
which account for 46% of employment in the commercial sector and 20% of
employment in the smaller industrial sector. While the environmental performance of
the larger or well-known industrial companies is often driven by corporate image,
consumer pressure, legislation (e.g. PPC permitting requirements) and environmental
reporting and management requirements, there are far fewer drivers on SME’s to move
them towards more sustainable waste management practice. Possible routes to
encourage changes in SME practices include (a) the Government’s Envirowise
programme to assist businesses, and (b) supply-chain management pressure from larger
companies with well-developed environmental management systems in place.
7.15. A best practice Demolition Protocol has been developed jointly by the ICE and CIWEM,
using funding from WRAP. This has the key aim of encouraging the planning system to
require more efficient use of resources in demolition and construction projects. To date
the protocol has been adopted by at least three London boroughs in the form of
relevant planning policies or guidance.
7.16. While a number of waste exchanges currently operate in London for C&I and C&D
waste, these do not appear to be widely used, other than by small companies.
Summary of Key Findings for C&I Wastes
Findings on Waste Arisings, Disposals and Composition
7.17. The main reference source for the tonnages and composition of commercial and
industrial wastes for London is the SWMAL 200043 report, which was compiled by the
Environment Agency from national survey data on municipal, C&I, C&D and hazardous
waste. This estimates that 7.1 million tonnes of C&I wastes were produced in London in
1998/99, of which 4.35 million tonnes (61%) were estimated to be derived from
commercial activities, and 2.74 million tonnes (39%) from industrial sources. The
SWMAL also reports that 84% of the C&I waste arisings were exported out of London
for recovery or disposal. The Environment Agency’s Local Waste Interrogator database is
an on-line application designed to help local authorities extract waste input and
capacity data for their own areas. This is based on site-return data but only provides
details of the amount of waste deposited in and around London but not on the
quantities generated. However, for future purposes, this may be a useful tool to track
deposits in London itself.
7.18. The SWMAL 2000 data is based on extrapolations from national and regional survey
data. Of the 20,000 companies approached for data across the UK, 18,600 provided
responses, including around 1,200 from within London. The C&I figures reported in the
SWMAL are therefore estimates only, based on data that is almost 6 years old and
should be regarded with caution as the actual figures could be significantly different
from these. The EA is currently carrying out an updated survey (using a smaller number
of questionnaires) and the results of this are expected to be published in the autumn of
2004.
43 Strategic Waste Management Assessment, London, 2000, Environment Agency.
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