Waste Strategy for Essex Consultation

The draft Waste Strategy for Essex provides a framework for managing our recycling and waste in Essex for the next 30 years. It includes a shared vision, key principles and ambitious targets.

In September 2023, a 10-week public consultation was launched on behalf of Essex Waste Partnership. The consultation gave people the chance to have their say on the draft Waste Strategy.

A total of 4,545 responses to the consultation were received. This included 4,224 responses to the full survey and 321 responses to the Easy Read survey. The survey responses were independently analysed.

Headline results show there is a good level of agreement from all areas in Essex on key proposals within the draft strategy.

Headline findings from the full survey:

• 67% agreed with the vision statement for the Waste Strategy for Essex.
• 48% thought the targets are about right. A further 28% would prefer more ambitious targets and 13% would prefer less ambitious targets.
• 49% thought the ambitions are about right, with 27% preferring higher ambitions and 13% preferring lower ambitions. 6% would prefer none at all, and 6% were not sure.
• 63% agreed with the move to embrace a circular economy, in which finite resources are conserved and used efficiently.
• The majority of respondents agreed with the waste hierarchy priorities, with 65% agreeing with waste prevention, 71% with reuse, and 77% with recycle.
• 78% agreed that the EWP should reduce the use of landfill.
• 61% agreed that adopting the use of anaerobic digestion for the treatment of food waste is the right solution.
• 69% agreed that that after recycling everything we can, adopting Energy from Waste for residual waste is the right solution.
• In regard to achieving collaboration and innovation, the majority of respondents agreed with all statements for how this should be achieved, ranging between 67% to 86% agreement
• 77% agreed with the proposal around ‘educate and engage’, to listen to residents and deliver information and initiatives to encourage changes in attitudes and behaviour to reduce waste and recycle more.
• 70% agreed with the proposed approach to research, planning and performance monitoring.
• In the full survey, respondents could provide their feedback on the Strategic Environmental Assessment. 288 respondents provided feedback, with 54% agreeing that the Environmental Report correctly identified the likely significant effects of the draft strategy, and 46% disagreeing.
• There was widespread agreement for the different areas of the strategy amongst the five Essex Waste Partnership member organisations that provided a response to the consultation, although it should be noted that one preferred higher targets and one would prefer lower ambitions to be achieved at a later date.

Reports can be found on the links at the bottom of this page.

Findings from the consultation analysis are being used to help develop a final version of the Waste Strategy.

The adoption of the Waste Strategy for Essex will be subject to a separate decision by each partnership council, ECC plans to adopt a final version of the Waste Strategy in summer 2024.

If you have any feedback on the draft consultation report, please contact wastestrategyforessex@essex.gov.uk

Draft Waste Strategy for Essex: What does it mean for your business? (Free webinar 23^rd April 12.30-1.30pm)

The Essex Waste Partnership is hosting a free webinar to provide expert advice to help businesses prepare for changes to waste legislation following the consultation.

Essex businesses of all sectors and sizes are invited to ‘lunch and learn’ about the county’s new plan for managing waste. Find out more and book your place.