Croydon Council has announced the introduction of a new waste management system at Surrey Street Market, which it hopes will save in the region of £10,000 a year.
Food waste recycling bins and refuse sacks are now being provided to each stall to enable them to collect their waste as the day progresses. The council anticipates this will allow around 200 tonnes of organic waste to be diverted from landfill annually.
It also says that the new measures eliminate the need for a refuse vehicle to be stationed on-site throughout the day, as well as making it easier to clean up at the end of trade.
Councillor Phil Thomas, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services at Croydon Council, said: “The financial savings are likely to be as much as £10,000 per year and shoppers will already have noticed how much tidier the whole street is looking throughout the day.”
The council is already looking into the possibility of recycling plastic crates and wooden boxes in the future. If the plans come to fruition, it would mean that 95 per cent of all of the market’s waste could be diverted from landfill, according to the council, enabling it to enter the Green Market awards.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.