"There is little doubt that this is one of the biggest challenges that local authorities have ever faced. The South London Waste Partnership is meeting that challenge by pooling the finances, resources and expertise of four high performing and neighbouring authorities"
Colin Hall, deputy leader of Sutton Council
Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Kingston upon Thames have combined to wage a war on wastes through their joint efforts. The aim is to meet Government targets on diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill.
The four London Boroughs have formed the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) which consists of a joint board of councillors supported by council offices specialising in wastes management.
The constituent Boroughs have signed A Memorandum of Understanding and agree draft Heads of Terms to give the Board powers over contracts, assets and employment of staff.
This represents a more integrated approach to wastes management though the kerbside collection of waste and recyclable materials will remain the responsibility of individual Boroughs.
The 483,000 tonnes of municipal waste collected currently is expected to rise to 668,000 by 2020, but of this the authorities are restricted to 85,000 tonnes that may be landfilled.
Significant economies of scale are expected to benefit council tax payers of the Boroughs.
It is expected that new technologies will play an important part in the waste management solutions for SLWA.
Colin Hall, deputy leader of Sutton Council, said:
"There is little doubt that this is one of the biggest challenges that local authorities have ever faced. The South London Waste Partnership is meeting that challenge by pooling the finances, resources and expertise of four high performing and neighbouring authorities.”