Aim: To develop the sustainable use of resources, including the three Rs: reduce, reuse & recycle to minimise the use of natural resources and the volume of waste produced.

To minimise the impact on our environment and to ensure that our natural resources last as long as possible we must reduce our use of resources and the amount of waste we produce. This will be a major challenge, necessitating a fundamental change in attitude, by every one of us. However, change we must, because the amount of waste we all produce and the way we currently dispose of it is simply not sustainable in the long term. Key to this change will be promotion of the three Rs - reducing, re-using and re-cycling. We must reduce our use of natural resources, re-use products wherever possible and when products have finally ended their useful life, we must recycle them, using the materials to make other products.

Important Issues to address

• Amount of waste produced.
• The three 'R's - reducing, re-using and recycling.
• Opportunities for recycling.
• Methods of waste disposal and the relationship between waste collection and recycling.
• Litter.
• Effects of mineral extraction.
• Re-use of building materials.
• Water quality.

Key Objectives

• To minimise the amount of waste being produced.
• To promote an increase in the recycling of materials.
• To examine the relationship between waste collection methods and recycling.
• To increase levels of composting at home.
• To examine the options for waste disposal and reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfill sites.
• To encourage the re-use of building materials.
• To control litter on the streets.
• To reduce the impact of mineral extraction on the environment.
• To encourage a reduction in the use of non-renewable natural resources.
• To protect water resources.

Actions

• Work with Shropshire County Council, to produce a waste strategy by 2002.
• Increase the opportunities for recycling.
• Examine the relationship between waste collection measures and recycling.
• Continue to develop the kerb side recycling collection which is (currently available in 82% of the Borough) e.g. by including additional materials (from 2005).
• Raise awareness within the community about the importance of reducing, re-using and recycling waste by expanding the programme of education and awareness raising presentations to schools and interested parties and by making better use of information and communications technology (ICT) e.g. more use of web pages and media releases.
• Introduce a Borough wide kerbside collection for green waste during 2002.
• Extend the Shropshire Wildlife Trust scheme for home composting currently running in South Shropshire.
• Provide guidance to developers on how to make more efficient use of water within new developments (in line with Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's Local Plan policy INF16).
• Consider the different options for waste disposal and reduce the amount of landfill.
• Work with developers to encourage the inclusion of sound environmental principles within new developments e.g. each new house should have facilities for composting and saving rainwater.
• Work with developers to address how waste can be managed effectively e.g. recycling and waste sites within each new development.
• Work with partner organisations to develop green purchasing policies.
• Develop programmes which increase the understanding and practice of sustainability.
• Reduce the impact of mineral extraction on the environment by encouraging the re-use of materials.
• Minimise the impacts of mineral extraction (in line with Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin's Minerals Local Plan policy M1).

Future Community Involvement

Although we have tried to involve as many people as possible in putting this strategy together, it is unlikely that we have managed to reach everybody. Over the coming year we will involve the community in further development of the strategy

Monitoring

To include:

Links to other strands of the strategy

• The economy.
• Health.
• Social inclusion.
• Learning and skills.

Partners in Delivery

• Business Link
• Council for the Protection of Rural England
• Countryside Agency
• Energy Producers
• English Nature
• Environment Agency
• National Farmers Union
• Parish Councils
• Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council Shrewsbury and District Chamber of Commerce
• Shrewsbury Business Club
• Shropshire County Council
• Shropshire Wildlife Trust
• Voluntary Groups and Organisations
• Waste Contractors and Recyclers