1.2 Area Waste Plan: Key Aims and Core Objectives

The key aim of the Area Waste Plan is to:

Contribute to the sustainable development of the North East area by developing waste-management systems that will control waste generation, reduce the environmental impacts of waste production, improve resource efficiency, stimulate investment and maximise the economic opportunities arising from waste.

This aim is supported by the following objectives:

1. Set out in detail the existing waste-management infrastructure and arrangements, develop the principles and plan for progress in waste management in the medium and long terms to meet current and future legislative requirements and the objectives of the National Waste Strategy: Scotland.

2. Ensure that the waste-management system developed is in accordance with the BPEO, which includes the principles of sustainable development and integrated waste management, and makes the maximum possible contribution to reducing society’s environmental impact at an acceptable cost.

3. Provide a clear framework for stakeholders to judge the future development of waste management services in the North East area, and to guide both local authority integrated waste management plans and private investment decisions.

4. To ensure that development planning policy in the North East is consistent with, and contributes to, the overall aims of the NSW and the North East AWP.

5. To maximise the opportunities for the North East businesses arising from sustainable waste management, including the not-for-profit sector.

6. To enable all key stakeholders the opportunity to input to the area waste planning process.

7. Ensure that the area waste planning process offers a clear, transparent and informative approach that is demonstrable to local stakeholders.

8. To raise public awareness of the future challenges in implementing the AWP and promote active participation by all stakeholders in meeting the objectives.

9. To regularly review new waste-management technologies to ensure the continued BPEO for the North East area is applied in the longer term.