Waste Management and Recycling

areas, the local landscape. ENV3 - Waste Management and Recycling 1) New development proposals should provide waste and recycling facilities in accordance with the Council’s Solid Waste Storage/Collection Guidance (2024) or subsequent updates which: a) Can be easily accessed and moved by occupiers and local authority/private waste collectors; b) Do not result in any adverse impact on the character and appearance of the area through their siting or design, including bins and their respective storage areas; and c) Do not result in obstruction to pedestrian, cyclist or driver sight lines. 2) New development should contribute to reducing the amount of waste generated through the following measures where possible: a) Re-using materials wherever possible as part of construction (see Policy CNZ2C) b) Enable the sorting of waste and recycling on-site taking into account impact on residential amenities and the environment; c) Using Modern Methods of Construction such as pre-cast/pre- fabricated materials and modular construction; d) Allocating appropriate refuse and recycling storage facilities for domestic kerbside collection, composting facilities and commercial waste recycling facilities; and e) Submitting a Site Waste Management Plan for major development incorporating a Circular Economy Statement; 3) New development should explore opportunistic extraction of minerals for use on site, prior to non-mineral development. Reasoned Justification: 10.60 During 2023/24, 477,868 tonnes of local authority collected waste was produced across Hertfordshire. In 2023/24 52.0% of Hertfordshire’s collected waste was recycled or composted. Three Rivers District Council achieved a 61.9% ‘household waste’ recycling rate, the highest in Hertfordshire and the second highest rate of any authority in England. 10.61 Despite this excellent performance, there is still a need to reduce the amount of waste produced overall and to ensure that as little as possible is placed in the refuse bin. Reusing waste products and materials, and reclaiming materials through recycling can reduce our consumption of primary resources and support the move to a circular economy. 10.62 In addition, commercial and industrial sources and construction, demolition and excavation waste also make a significant contribution to the overall levels of waste produced. These should similarly be minimised. 10.63 Reducing the amount of waste produced locally requires: • Re-use of materials wherever possible: high value materials such as bricks, slates, tiles, beams and architectural details can often be re-used for the same function; • Sorting of waste and recycling on-site: allowing space on-site for segregation of waste, including construction waste and recycling and operational waste and recycling; • Allocating appropriate recycling storage facilities: providing sufficient space within development for domestic kerbside collection and composting facilities, or larger commercial waste recycling facilities; • Use of Modern Methods of Construction such as pre -cast/pre-fabricated materials and modular construction: components such as precast concrete beams, insulated wall panels, bathroom pods reduce the amount of waste generated; • Use of materials with recycled content: products are available that incorporate waste into the manufacturing process that have the same performance and costs as non-recycled materials. 10.64 Making suitable provision to encourage recycling and minimise waste production requires that waste and recycling storage areas are integrated into the design and layout of new development at the initial stages. 10.65 Provision of refuse and recycling facilities and collection points should be situated in locations that are accessible for those with mobility disabilities and be within a reasonable distance from dwellings. Features such as ramps and raised pavements should be considered within specialist housing/homes for older persons. 10.66 The policy requires that Site Waste Management Plans and Circular Economy Statements are submitted for all major development (as defined in The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015) which include details of the management of waste at all stages of development (construction, demolition and subsequent occupation). The Was