Defra launches review of waste policies

30 JULY 2010

Defra has launched its review of waste policies with the Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman calling on businesses, households, communities, and local authorities in England to contribute their views. This is intended to inform the waste strategy review announced by the coalition in June and which is due to be published in the spring of next year.

The review is aimed at both household and business waste. Previous waste strategy reviews have tended to focus very much on household waste and hopefully, this one will make a refreshing change, given that business waste is by far the largest proportion of what is generated although only around a third of what is landfilled.

This review must be considered alongside the Waste Framework Directive consultation where the government has already indicated a move towards compulsory recycling services. Much of this latest review concentrates on the 'zero waste' goal and includes an on-line questionnaire asking for opinions on whether this is achievable.

Some of the key questions being asked in this review are:

• How voluntary ‘Responsibility Deals’ with businesses can play a role in waste reduction and more efficient use of resources;
• How best to encourage and incentivise individuals, businesses and communities to produce less waste and recycle more;
• How government can work with local councils to increase the frequency and quality of rubbish collections;
• Future infrastructure needs, including the role of energy from waste and anaerobic digestion; and
• How business and household waste is collected, sorted and recycled.
• People can contribute to the review through the Defra website, by responding to the call for evidence or taking part in an interactive debate on waste policies.

At the end of the day, the key question has to be the role that government takes. Does it impose prescriptive regulation on what is done or simply provide financial penalties or rewards and let the market then decide how it is done?