Consumption and waste

Emissions baseline

Emissions from waste account for 3.4% of total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Bradford. However, it should be noted that this approach does not account for the full life cycle of products and any waste burned within the area is captured within the one of the energy activities, therefore it is still key to explore ways to reduce the overuse of resources.

Reducing consumption and waste

What we make, buy and waste all contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss. To secure a safer, healthier and more sustainable future for all we must buy less and re-use, repair and recycle more. Waste needs to be minimised, and where it does exist, we must innovate to harness its potential for re-purposing into new products or for generating clean energy.

Bradford district produces a high level of waste, with 64% of collected material being general waste or waste from Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The target of household waste sent for re-use, recycling or composting is 40%, however domestic recycling rates are negatively impacted from contamination levels.

In terms of GHG emissions, Waste makes up less than 4% of total emissions in Bradford, with around 61% of waste emissions coming from landfill. However, despite the overall small proportion of emissions, it is important to assess the potential for changing consumption patterns to create less waste in the first place which is a key driver of emissions and support the move towards a circular economy.

With a zero waste, circular economy approach:

• Resources are in use for longer and waste is reduced.
• Emissions are reduced from improved resource efficiency.
• Investment in infrastructure is encouraged with growth in ‘green’ jobs.
• New market opportunities are explored to support a progressive economy.
• Nature is protected as reliance on resources and raw materials is reduced.