
The Joint Committee
Key decisions are made by the Joint Committee. The Committee is a cross-party panel of eight elected councillors from the four partner boroughs representing the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat political parties.
The South London Waste Partnership is made up of four local councils (Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton) who are working together to provide improved and more cost-effective waste management services to their residents.
Faced with the challenge of how to manage household waste, the boroughs of Croydon, Kingston, Merton and Sutton recognised that they could find better and more cost-effective solutions by working together. It was clear that by pooling finances, resources and expertise, they could save money and deliver a more efficient waste management service on behalf of council taxpayers.
In 2003 the South London Waste Partnership was formed.
The four boroughs work together in a spirit of partnership, sharing commitment and common objectives. The ‘glue’ that holds the Partnership together is an important, legally binding, document called the Inter Authority Agreement. This document clearly defines the roles that each of the four boroughs plays and ensures that all boroughs gain equal benefit from being involved.
Croydon Council
Size: 34 square miles
Population: 391,000
Households: 160,000
Croydon Council website: www.croydon.gov.uk
Croydon Council Twitter: @YourCroydon
Croydon Council Facebook: I Love Croydon
Croydon data and maps: www.croydonobservatory.org
Kingston Council
Size: 14 square miles
Population: 179,000
Households: 75,000
Kingston Council website: www.kingston.gov.uk
Kingston Council Twitter: @RBKingston
Kingston Council Facebook: Kingston Council – Kingston Stronger Together
Kingston data and maps: www.data.kingston.gov.uk
Merton Council
Size: 15 square miles
Population: 206,000
Households: 90,000
Merton Council website: www.merton.gov.uk
Merton Council Twitter: @Merton_Council
Merton Council Facebook: Merton Council
Merton data and maps: www.data.merton.gov.uk
Sutton Council
Size: 17 square miles
Population: 208,000
Households: 84,000
Sutton Council website: www.sutton.gov.uk
Sutton Council Twitter: @SuttonCouncil
Sutton Council Facebook: Sutton Council
Sutton data and maps: www.data.sutton.gov.uk
Key decisions are made by the Joint Committee. The Committee is a cross-party panel of eight elected councillors from the four partner boroughs representing the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat political parties.
Most preferred environmental option
Reducing waste is the most preferred option. Minimising the amount of waste we produce in the first place is by far the most effective way of reducing the impact we have on the environment.
When waste is created, the waste hierarchy prioritises reuse. Where possible, reusing products and materials before it becomes waste is the next best option. By cleaning, repairing and refurbishing items, we can significantly increase the number of things we reuse.
Recycling is the most environmentally sustainable solution when it comes to disposing of waste. Recycling essentially turns our waste into new items or products, reducing the amount of raw materials required.
For waste that can’t be re-used or recycled, energy recovery is the next best option. Energy from waste is the process of incinerating non-recyclable waste to produce electricity. It helps to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for power generation and decreases carbon emissions.
At the bottom of the waste hierarchy is the least desirable option: disposal. This is when waste is either sent to landfill or treated in an older-style incinerator that doesn’t recover energy from the process. Disposal should always be the last resort for waste.
Least preferred environmental option