To consider for adoption the Sustainable Products Policy.

That the Sustainable Products Policy be adopted in line with the Council’s commitments to resource and waste management, and mitigation and adaption to Climate Change, as specified in the Environment Policy. 

A report was presented that requested the adoption of the Sustainable Products Policy.  It was highlighted that the production of single use products and the resultant waste from their usage and disposal was one of the greatest environmental concerns faced globally today.  A Sustainable Products Policy had therefore been developed to outline the necessary actions required to ensure a sustainable approach to procurement of such items was carefully considered.  The Sustainable Products Policy set out the commitment to discontinuing the procurement of single use products as far as possible within internal operations and finding the best alternative solutions where single use products could not be eliminated completely. 

During his presentation the Portfolio Holder for Partnerships expressed his thanks to officers involved in this work.

Councillor Grist as Portfolio Holder for Market Towns and the Rural Economy supported the recommendation but advised that the vast majority of single use products could potentially be recycled and reused if appropriate processes were in place but this was for industry and government to drive. 

The Portfolio Holder for Operational Services advised that the Environmental Act 2021 had coverage of disposable items and proposals from the government with regard to disposal, collection and re-use of these items so was in the pipeline but would take some time. 

RESOLVED

That the Sustainable Products Policy be adopted in line with the Council’s commitments to resource and waste management, and mitigation and adaption to Climate Change, as specified in the Environment Policy. 

Reasons:

East Lindsey District Council has made a commitment to ensuring a sustainable approach to resource management as specified in Theme four of the Environment Policy and mitigating and adapting to Climate Change as specified in Theme 2 of the Environment Policy. Adoption of this policy is listed as a local priority in the Environment Policy and as a corporate priority in the South & East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership Annual Delivery Plan. The Sustainable Products Policy will assist us in establishing practices for a more sustainable procurement future, thereby supporting us in meeting our net zero targets and reducing the environmental impact of our operational activities.

Other options:

Members could decide not to recommend adoption of the Sustainable Products Policy however, local authorities have a legal obligation to produce plans and policies to adapt to and mitigate climate change in line with the provisions of the Climate Change Act 2008. The Council has committed to reducing its carbon emissions to net zero by 2040 with a minimum emissions reduction of 45% by 2027 and via the Environment Policy, has committed to ensuring a sustainable approach to resource and waste management. This policy will assist the Council in achieving these targets, alongside other co-benefits.