This question is thrown out to business, government and the public by London Remade, as part of its new campaign to reinvigorate thinking around resource efficiency in the nation's capital.

With a redesigned website, London Remade has launched an online debate called Provocations, designed to provoke new thinking. It says, that at present "Confusion reigns in how to cut waste and provide what people want".
 
London Remade is a not-for-profit company set up by London's businesses and boroughs as an independent promoter of resource efficiency.

It said in a statement: "Our Provocations will consider London and resources in the broadest sense - materials, finances, people, infrastructure, institutions - and explore how they might be developed, deployed and distributed in our city in the most sustainable way."

London Remade believes the challenge of resource management in London - Europe's largest city - is so great that a wide-ranging and open debate is urgent.

It is calling upon all affected and those involved in managing its resources, to use the online debate space to express where current systems are failing and how they can be improved and replaced by better ones.

Its first provocation shows the pattern and manner of waste collection in London is an historical accident. There is no reason to suppose that the current regime is 'the best'.

The structure of waste management in London is more a collection of political solutions throughout the 20th Century than an economic or a social or an environmental solution to today's and tomorrow's needs.

A waste management system built upon nineteenth century boundaries and twentieth century political assumptions is at odds with the economic, social and environmental objectives this century presents.

Its second provocation will look at governance issues, the relevance of our institutions, the relationship between institutions and outcomes, the kinds of capacities and capabilities that are needed to meet the challenges ahead.

This provocation will come at the same time as the Coalition announces the results of its review of public spending. What will be the implications for waste management in London?

The starting point for each provocation (or debate) is essays from a range of expert contributors. The first essays are written by Kit Strange of the Resource Recovery Forum, Professor David C Wilson, consultant and Visiting Professor at Imperial College London, Dr Julian Parfitt of Resource Futures and David Fell of Brook Lyndhurst.

Their essays may be read online. Raders may then take part by simply clicking to amend the experts' essays, adding a comment, amending what other commentators have said or even writing an essay.

www.londonremade.com