Government Review of Waste Policy in England 2011
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) recently published the coalition government’s keenly anticipated review of waste policy.
The following text is taken from Defra’s website:-
‘As part of the Government’s commitment to ensure that we are on the path towards a ‘zero waste’ economy, we have reviewed all aspects of waste policy and delivery in England. The Review’s findings were published in June 2011, alongside a series of actions for the future. This includes commitments to:
Launch a grant funding scheme for innovative reward and recognition schemes
- Work with business on a range of measures to prevent waste occurring wherever possible, ahead of developing a full Waste Prevention Programme by December 2013;
- Explore the potential for new voluntary responsibility deals to drive waste prevention and recycling, including in the hospitality sector and with the waste management industry and for direct mail, textiles, and construction waste;
- Launch a grant funding scheme for innovative reward and recognition schemes which could incentivise people to do the right thing;
- Encourage councils to sign new Recycling and Waste Services Commitments, setting out the principles they will follow in delivering waste services to households and businesses.
- Provide technical support to councils and businesses who want to see recycling-on-the-go schemes grow,
- Consult on the case for increased recovery targets for packaging waste, in time for a final decision in the 2012 Budget;
- Consult on introducing a restriction on the landfilling of wood waste and review the case for introducing landfill restrictions on other materials, including textiles and biodegradable waste;
- Scrap unfair bin fines and taxes while bringing in powers to deal with repeat fly-tipping offenders and genuine nuisance neighbours;’
The full document and action plan can be downloaded here:- http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/review/
12 August 2011