The Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, is to launch the government's long-awaited strategy for commercial and industrial (C&I) waste this week, and is also set to provide an update on the 'zero waste places' initiative.

Mr Benn will unveil the strategy, which is expected to outline the government's objectives for the waste stream, and just how it hopes to achieve them, at a meeting with stakeholders from local authorities, the waste sector, WRAP and business and industry.

Hilary Benn is set to make announcements on C&I waste and the 'zero waste places' initiative at a 'World Without Waste' event next week

At the 'World Without Waste' event being held in central London, Mr Benn will also outline just how successful the first six 'zero waste places', announced in October 2008 (see letsrecycle.com story) have been in showcasing best practice in waste management, and provide an update on the second round of applications, which closed on October 1 (see letsrecycle.com story).

C&I

Defra has been in discussions with the small business sector and "a range of other interested parties" about the issue of C&I waste.

Next week's expected announcement on C&I waste follows acknowledgement in the past from Defra that there is scope for improvement in how it deals with C&I waste (see letsrecycle.com story), and the department has faced accusations that the Waste Strategy 2007 largely focused on municipal waste.

On July 2, waste and recycling minister Dan Norris revealed in a parliamentary question that Defra aimed to publish a policy statement on C&I waste by the end of July, but no statement was published before parliament went on its summer recess, which ends on Monday (October 12).

In particular, Defra has noted the need to gather up-to-date data on the waste stream, with the last national survey on it having taken place back in 2002 (see letsrecycle.com story).

The department has already said it will undertake a new national survey to gain a better understanding of the C&I waste stream and to support and influence policy decisions, with the results expected to be published in autumn 2010.