London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

encouraged, and that guidance and/or best practice references should be
prepared, including the key performance indicators that companies should be
reporting on. This may usefully also encompass sector-wide reporting in
conjunction with trade associations, which should become statutory. The
promotion of a web-based approach, perhaps along the lines of
www.capitalwastefacts.com, may be an appropriate way of reporting headline
indicators.
4.216. It is noted that the London Stock Exchange is preparing to create a centralised database
on the social and environmental performance of companies
(www.ethicalperformance.com).
Recommendation 28: It is recommended that discussions be held with the Stock
Exchange to explore the possibilities of using their centralised database on the
social and environmental performance of companies as part of the Wider Waste
Strategy.
Further Analysis of C&I Compositional Data
4.217. With reference to the SWMAL report discussed earlier, it is evident that a large
proportion of the commercial and industrial waste stream was described as general
wastes. Further analysis of this waste stream was undertaken during the study using
the compositional data provided in the SWAP report to try and reduce these unknowns.
The detailed results of the analysis are presented in Appendix D, and summarised
below.
Commercial Wastes
4.218. Within the commercial sector, paper and cardboard are very large waste streams that
could be some 2.2 million tonnes/annum. This would account for over half of the
commercial waste stream in London and 30% of the total commercial and industrial
waste stream in London. Of this amount, over 80% is expected to be recyclable which
equates to some 1.8 million tonnes per annum. Nevertheless, this still leaves an
estimated 415,000 tonnes of non-recyclable paper and cardboard.
4.219. Putrescibles are the next most significant waste stream within the commercial sector,
accounting for an estimated 400,000 tonnes, of which nearly 300,000 tonnes are
potentially compostable. Glass is the next largest waste stream, with all but 2,500
tonnes of the estimated 372,000 tonnes total being recyclable, particularly given the
current demand for glass. Plastic wastes are also significant, but in this case, the
majority (222,000 tonnes) are thought to be non-recyclable compared to the 93,000
tonnes which is estimated as recyclable.
4.220. The remaining waste streams that were estimated in the tables in Appendix D for the
commercial sector are all significant, albeit much lower than those highlighted above,
since they are in the tens of thousand rather than hundreds of thousand tonnes.
Hence, whilst the metals, textiles and other wastes are all considered important, they are
of less importance than paper, cardboard, putrescibles, glass and plastic for these
sectors. However, it is likely that the SWAP survey failed to identify one-off waste
events due to the nature of the survey. These could be significant over the course of a
year, but may well not be identified in a survey that is only undertaken four times in a
year. This would include WEEE, including computers and associated equipment, white
goods, office and hotel furniture, demolition and construction waste. These waste
streams are identified in the Environment Agency’s Waste Benchmarking Tool and some
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