ADD2191 Plastic bottle reduction and water refill project resources

1.1. The draft London Environment Strategy identifies cutting food waste and single use plastic drink bottles in London as a priority. The GLA are developing a bespoke programme to help cut single use plastic drink bottle waste with the following objectives:

• To reduce the environmental impact, including resource use and pollution, of single use plastic bottles in London, particularly single use plastic water bottles

• To increase access to tap (potable) water available to Londoners when ‘on the go’, particularly as an alternative to unhealthier sugary drinks

1.2. The GLA have undertaken initial work to scope out a programme to reduce single use plastic bottles in London, namely:

• The economic and environmental impacts of single use plastic bottles

• single use plastic drink bottle consumption and recycling levels nationally and in London

• polling on public attitudes to water bottle consumption and drivers/motivations for moving to a reusable bottle culture

• review of existing schemes for cutting single use plastic bottles, and further options for more detailed analysis

1.3. Resources are now required to start delivery of the project, including working with GLA staff to establish, project manage and start work on the wider roll-out of a scheme.

1.4. This resource is required for up to 3 months whilst a full time fixed term post is being established. This post is likely to be established and recruited to next financial year.

1.5. Quotes for the provision of resources will be sought from a minimum of three consultancy companies with a view to procuring a resource that has knowledge of environment and plastics, has strong analytical skills, excellent project management skills, strong communications and campaign skills, experience of developing delivery partnerships and experience of developing business cases.

2.1. The objective is to develop a full project plan, establish partnerships, gather and analyse on-the-ground delivery data and provide project management of a single-use plastic water bottles project to inform and ensure that sufficient progress is made to launch a pan-London water refill scheme in 2018.

2.2. This work will ensure that from the beginning of 2018/19 a full delivery programme commences.

3.1. The evaluation process will be conducted to ensure that submissions are evaluated fairly to select a resource that provides the relevant experience and offers value for money.

3.2. Impact of policies on equality considerations will be explicitly taken into account as part of the pilot project.

High level risks

b) This research links to the Mayor’s draft London Environment Strategy

5.1. Assistant Director’s approval is sought for expenditure of up to £33,000 for the procurement and appointment of consultants to provide the resource required to develop and implement the Plastic bottle reduction and water refill project. This will be funded from Environment 2017-18 Waste Budget and is to be spent within 2017-18 financial year.