Local authorities on the journey to COP26:
Cutting emissions from waste

Waste creation and disposal is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Food waste alone accounts for between 8 to 10 percent of global emissions. This means that how we extract, purchase, consume and dispose of resources needs to change in order to tackle the global climate crisis.

Local authorities across the world have the chance to play a central role in this change. From raising awareness and investing in infrastructure, to modifying their own procurement policies and supporting the growth of the circular economy, there are numerous ways in which councils can promote more sustainable waste management.

With COP26 just a couple of months away, this is an important opportunity to demonstrate to the world the importance of local places in catalysing a green recovery from Covid and a just transition to net zero.

If you would like to share a story on our blog or a strategy from your council, fill in this simple form or drop me a line at ingrid.koehler@lgiu.org.

Read: This briefing explores the potential economic benefits of the circular economy to local governments and how existing processes can evolve.

The briefing highlights innovative Australian local government case studies, including a Hume City Council pilot that made roads from plastic bags and printer cartridges, which inspired similar initiatives across the country.

Shoalhaven City Council has begun building a microfactory with the capability to turn discarded mattresses into ceramic tiles. Solving a growing used mattress dumping issue for the Council, the mattress fluff can be combined with crushed glass to produce the ‘green’ tiles for use as a sustainable building material. 
Government News / Judy Skatssoon

Related: Kenyan startup turns recycled plastic into bricks stronger than concrete World Architecture 

The Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Program, initiated by Western Cape Government, works with companies of all industrial sectors to identify potential mutually profitable opportunities. Otherwise wasted resources and materials from one company or sector can be reprocessed or reused by another; including water, energy, materials and expertise. So far, the programme has diverted over 100,000 tonnes of waste from landfill and saved over 300,000 fossil GHG emissions, alongside creating numerous jobs.
Cape town etc / Lucinda Dordley

Related: Ontario’s circular economy business accelerator helps businesses find new uses for waste materials and opportunities for waste reduction Environment Journal / Connie Vitello

More than 300 electronic waste bins were placed in Singapore supermarkets and retail stores in July in a bid to recycle over 20,000 tonnes of e-waste annually. The Singapore Government initiative allows e-waste from laptops to fridges to be recycled. Participants can gain points to use on bicycle-sharing and food delivery services through a linked app.
The Straits Times / Adeline Tan

​​Related: ‘Urban Miners’ e-waste recovery project steps up to fill New Zealand recycling gaps Stuff / Lawrence Gullery

An innovative report identifies steps to reduce Victoria’s food waste by half by 2030, down to 1.2 million tonnes per year. The steps include converting food waste into animal feed, increasing food recovery and donations and tracking waste patterns through analytics. The report recommends prioritising actions targeting waste dairy, bread, meat, tomato and apple, which have the highest climate impacts.
Sustainability Victoria

Related: Rome businesses offered tax rebates for cutting food waste TheMayor.EU / Tzvetozar Vincent Iolov

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