Lancashire sets out ambitious plans to cut waste and boost recycling
Councils across Lancashire have joined forces for ambitious plans to cut household waste by 10% by 2035 - and recycle half of all waste by 2030.
The proposed 'A Low Waste Lancashire 2026-2036' strategy sets out a shared 10-year approach to reducing waste and boosting reuse and recycling.
Developed through the Lancashire Waste Partnership, the strategy is being considered by each council.
Lancashire County Council’s Cabinet approved the plans on Thursday, 5 November.
The plans aim to cut household waste by 10% by 2035, recycle 50% of waste by 2030 and work towards the national target of recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035. Work to develop the strategy has also identified opportunities to make Lancashire’s waste management system more efficient.
The strategy covers the 16 Household Waste Recycling Centres managed by Lancashire County Council, as well as the wider approach to reducing, reusing and recycling waste.
More than 4,700 members of the public responded to a six-week public consultation on the proposals, with 72% agreeing or strongly agreeing with the strategy's vision and 78% supporting its objectives.
There was also broad backing for the proposed targets. Around 67% of respondents agreed that the waste reduction target was either about-right or should be more ambitious, while 72% said the same about the recycling targets.
Cllr Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said: “Lancashire residents have been clear that they want us to cut waste and recycle more. This strategy sets out an ambitious direction for the next decade. By working together, we can waste less, recycle more and deliver better value for our residents."
The focus will now move to delivering the strategy, with action plans developed to support its objectives and targets. Councils will continue to work together through the Lancashire Waste Partnership, with residents and communities also having an important role in reducing waste and increasing reuse and recycling.
The A Low Waste Lancashire scheme builds on wider work to transform how waste is managed across Lancashire. Separating food waste for recycling will help reduce waste, and support a more sustainable and efficient system for the county.