How we deal with waste is crucial to society and the environment. When we throw things away we lose not only the raw materials used to make them, but the fuel needed to manufacture and transport them.

Instead of trying to reduce waste, the council tries to "predict” how much we will throw away and "provide” landfill sites and incineration to deal with it, which are also bad for the environment. We should buy fewer, longer-lasting, goods. Manufacturers should consider how long products will last and how they can be reused or recycled.

Only a small proportion of materials or objects should be discarded. This is known as a Zero Waste Strategy and covers everything from manufacture, marketing and procurement, to use, reuse, recycling and disposal.

In Sheffield

The City Council's 30-year contract with Onyx includes a new double sized incinerator at Bernard Road and waste collection services run by a profit driven multinational company. There is no incentive for the City Council to recycle more than minimum Government targets.

In fact it would have to pay extra to do so and Onyx would simply import waste from elsewhere to feed the incinerator. The incinerator produces heat for some city centre buildings, but using "waste” for fuel is like burning furniture instead of logs – it is far too valuable.

There are legal difficulties in ending the contract with Onyx. However, it is still worth minimising waste, increasing re-use and recycling and stopping the most valuable and/or dangerous items from being incinerated.

What we have done so far:

• Helped the campaign against the extended use of Parkwood Landfill site by attending meetings, asking questions and writing letters and articles.
• Got "bring banks" for paper and bottles into Leverton/Lansdowne and Hanover estates; supported the provision of those now on Devonshire Green and begun to organise better recycling in the basement of city centre apartments.
• Pressed the Planning Department to include recycling facilities in all new developments Kept incineration in the public eye and objected to the national policy of expanding it.

As Green City Councillors, we will:

• Press for planning applications to include recycling facilities where appropriate.
• Support local people who are keen to recycle more and forge better links between local people.
• Encourage the forging of better links between local people, Onyx (waste collection) and Streetforce (street cleaning).
• Provide better information about recycling services including fliers with other Council letters.
• Push for better monitoring of emissions from Parkwood Landfill site and Bernard Rd incinerator.
• Promote national and European legislation and targets requiring greater re-use and recycling and stricter controls on emissions.
• Develop a commercial waste strategy including recycling targets.
• Support recycling companies located in Sheffield (e.g. Reclaim) and encourage new businesses.