Commercial waste collectors required to collect recyclables by 2015

08 JULY 2010

Defra have launched a consultation on the implementation of the revised Waste Framework Directive in the England. Domestic legislation must be applied by 12 December 2010.

A summary shows the key requirements the consultation addresses which are as follows:

• To apply the “waste hierarchy” as a priority order in waste prevention and management legislation and policy
• To set up “separate collections” of waste for at least paper, metal, plastic, and glass by 2015 where technically, environmentally and economically practicable. This applies to both household and business waste
• To recycle 50% of waste from households by 2020
• To recover 70% of construction and demolition waste by 2020

The waste hierarchy is stated as:  waste prevention; preparing for re-use; recycling; other recovery (e.g. energy recovery); and finally disposal. The Government is looking at ways to ensure that this hierarchy is applied to the collection and disposal of both municipal and industrial/commercial waste and discusses proposals such as a revised Duty of Care.

Perhaps the biggest change that will come from this will be the requirement for businesses offering waste services to be able to also offer recycling collections for paper, metal, plastic and glass from 1 January 2015. Theoretically, this will mean that every business in England must have access to a recycling service. However, the practicalities are likely to be somewhat different as the consultation suggests that 'pricing would be left for commercial decision.'

The other big change that will come through these Regulations will be the application of the Waste Carriers License to all carriers of waste regardless of whether it is their own waste although it is not proposed to apply this until the end of 2013. There are also proposals to change professional waste carriers license renewal from 3 years to annual.

Responses are required by 16 September.