Local Authority Waste Management Strategies, the Circular Economy and the Generation of Energy from Waste in England

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the approach to waste management of local authorities in England, to investigate their strategic objectives, and to ascertain to what extent sustainability and circular economy practices are in evidence in this context. A qualitative, inductive research method is used, based on an examination of secondary documentation in three local authorities in England in Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle upon Tyne. The findings reveal considerable common ground within the three authorities – the importance of consumption across society in contributing to the generation of waste, the need for behavioural change, a focus on reducing waste (particularly food waste), maximising recycling and re-use, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and actively involving the local community and businesses. The case studies also evidence clear support for moving towards a more circular economy, but a number of key challenges were identified whilst initiatives to increase “waste to energy” face a number of potential hurdles. These include the generation of pollution and particulates by waste to energy plants, the destruction of useful materials, and the potential to disincentivize more sustainable waste management solutions. The article makes a small contribution to an existing gap in the academic literature and it is hoped these cases may act as a template for other research studies that could provide comparisons and contrasts in other local authority contexts.