- Introduction
Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) understands the importance of waste prevention, reuse and recycling of materials and products. In 2019, MRWA declared a climate emergency, in recognition that action on climate change should form a central part of our approach to embedding sustainability into our plans and service delivery.
The Authority places sustainability at the core of decision-making to ensure we reduce our climate-warming impacts and improve the sustainable management of waste and material resources. MRWA minimises its environmental impact and drives sustainability through continuous improvement.
Our Vision: To lead the way towards zero waste across the Liverpool City Region.
Our Mission: We have a passion for the environment. Working together, we will transform resource management and help our communities reduce, reuse and recycle to protect our planet from climate change.
Our Values: We will do this in a way which is Respectful, Socially Responsible, Collaborative, Transparent, Innovative, and we will operate with Integrity.
- Scope
This policy applies to all activities undertaken by (or on behalf of) MRWA, including its staff, supply chain partners and clients. We acknowledge that we have limited influence over our suppliers; however, we aim to work with suppliers who support our sustainability values.
The Authority will ensure that its wider policies and strategies will complement and support the aims of this sustainability policy. We will meet our commitment to sustainability through the services we provide, the way we operate as an organisation and how effectively and efficiently we work with partners and our stakeholders.
This policy sets out our commitment to sustainability and our commitment to continuously improving our environmental performance. By working together, we can make a positive impact on the environment and create a more sustainable future.
- Key Themes (People, Planet, Economy)
We have identified three key themes to echo the three pillars of sustainability and link to the themes identified in the MRWA Zero Waste Strategy. These key themes include People, Planet and Economy:
- People: The wellbeing of the region’s residents is central to our commitment to meet zero waste and net zero carbon goals. We aim to create social value and support thriving communities through our resources and waste activities. Our Zero Waste Strategy will drive the direction of MRWA and ensure we deliver against our strategic priorities.
- Planet: Using resources wisely and reducing waste are vital to lowering emissions and sustaining our planet. We aim to transition to a zero waste region, where a healthy and diverse environment enriches people’s lives and strengthens the economy. Our pathway to net zero will identify the actions required to meet our goals.
- Economy: Transitioning to a circular region will create a wealth of green jobs and skills and open new opportunities for sustainable businesses to design out waste. Enterprises and communities can prosper through rethinking the role of resources. We will deliver cost-effective and efficient MRWA services to maximise the benefit of the money we spend on behalf of the City Region.
- Objectives
People
- Develop a talented, diverse and responsible workforce through annual employee reviews and training opportunities.
- Encourage conscious consumerism through our Behaviour Change Programme, aiming to reduce waste through various campaigns.
- Raise awareness and encourage adoption of zero waste and climate action amongst staff, members, partners, the public and other stakeholders.
- Raise LCR residents’ awareness of the impact of climate change through education and campaigns.
- Embed social, economic, and environmental outcomes into our procurement practices to achieve greater sustainability impact.
- Work with residents, schools, colleges, businesses, and other organisations to develop sustainability awareness and promote action from a waste management perspective.
- Annually report on the social value of our community projects.
- Educate and engage our employees in our sustainability efforts and promote environmentally friendly behaviours in the workplace through our in-house Climate Champions.
Planet
- We use the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guide to inform our progress, including our Carbon Footprint, and to support action toward zero avoidable waste and a more sustainable region.
- Comply with applicable legal requirements and other relevant requirements relating to the Authority’s roles and responsibilities.
- Ensure that potential partners and contractors have an environmental policy or can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability before procuring services.
- Review resource and process efficiency, including energy, water, materials, infrastructure, and assets in the development of our pathway to net zero.
- Create and promote a reuse network and contribute to Repair Week annually through engaging with HWRCs and communities in order to do this.
Economy
- Support the development of a sustainable, zero waste and low carbon region by promoting the benefits of circular economy growth through regular events.
- Promote sustainable procurement awareness and initiatives amongst our stakeholders, including Members, staff, partners, and the local community.
- Achieve our Zero Waste Strategy and deliver best value for money, whilst being transparent and reporting on expenditure exceeding £500.
- Develop circular economy education tools for all ages.
- Ensure we set data driven targets which stretch performance and deliver continuous improvement.
- Develop a method for evaluating social value of our projects and report annually.
- Engage in behaviour change programmes through our community fund projects across LCR to enable residents and communities to move up the waste hierarchy.