London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

The authorities were asked about their views regarding which approach (i.e. DSO, private waste
companies, externalized or other) to managing waste treatment and disposal gave the most
beneficial service in terms of most cost effective service, clean local environment, changes in
demand and changes in legislation. Four respondents (two UAs and two WDAs) chose ‘don’t
know/can’t say’ or did not answer this question. Only one of the respondents then answered in
accordance with how the authority operates (i.e. a WDA using private waste companies who
considered that using private waste companies was the most likely to provide the most
beneficial service). The other answers, which are all from UAs are follows:
• Respondent uses private companies and whilst saying that private companies were
the most likely to provide the most beneficial service for all issues, answered don’t
know/can’t say for changes in legislation and increased recycling.
• Respondent that uses private company and, whilst saying that private companies
were the most likely to provide a cost effective service and increase use of
innovative treatments, thought that a joint venture would be the most beneficial for
all other issues.
• Respondent that uses private company and whilst saying that private companies
were the most likely to provide a cost effective service, clean local environment,
meet changes in demand and increase recycling, thought that other options would
be more likely to meet changes in legislation (but no option specified) and that a
joint venture would be most likely to increase the use of innovative treatments and
decrease landfill. This respondent also added that the question was difficult to
answer with certainty until the full impact of the WETS legislation is understood.
• A respondent that uses a private company and who considered that both a private
company and a joint venture would be the most likely options to provide a beneficial
service for all issues.
• A respondent that uses a private company and, whilst saying that a private company
is the most likely to provide a cost effective service, clean local environment,
increase the use of innovative treatments and decrease landfilling, that a joint
venture would be most likely to meet changes in demand, changes in legislation and
to increase recycling.
This question generated several additional comments. One UA indicated that all these factors
are determined by the service specification and another that it would “depend on the
circumstances prevailing at the time and the willingness of the various parties involved to work
together constructively and pragmatically”. Another WDA commented that “these questions
are for the specific authorities to answer” and two WDAs that it depends upon many factors.
Trends
There next came a series of questions about the future trends of waste arisings. The first
question asked WCAs and UAs for their view on what will happen to total waste arisings in the
future. Five authorities believed that waste arisings will increase by more than 5% and six
believed that they would stay approximately the same. One authority had no view held on any
of the statements relating to future arisings and six did not answer.
The WCAs and UAs were asked for their view on the future arisings of biodegradeable matter
(excluding paper and card). Four responded that it would increase by more than 5% and seven
that it would stay approximately the same. One did not know and six did not answer.
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