The letter, which was signed by the director general of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), and the chief executives of the Resource Association, Renewable Energy Association (REA), Anerobic Digestion & Biogas Association (ADBA), and Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), warned progress had stalled in a number of areas, including waste crime and waste prevention.
Earlier this month (November 6), Mr Rogerson wrote to members of the waste and recycling sector informing them that the Departments work on waste management would be scaled back from 2014/15 (see letsrecycle.com story).
He wrote that while waste remained one of his priorities, the government would not be looking to develop any new policies on commercial and industrial waste or energy from waste in the near future.
In a joint statement, the associations said: Waste is a valuable source of materials, energy and nutrients. The industry has grown strongly over recent years despite the adverse economic climate and has the potential to drive green growth and create jobs in the future.
As organisations representing responsible operators and professionals in the sector we are concerned that progress in improving resource management in England had already stalled in a number of areas even before the Ministers recent announcement. However, rather than simply criticise the Government, and recognising the resource constraints in his Department, we would like to offer to work closely with Defra to help turn this situation around.
According to the group, there are a number of key areas that need to be addressed, including: waste crime; collection methods; hazardous waste; commercial and industrial waste, and waste prevention.
The letter continued: We have found that close and consultative working achieves positive results, and therefore we would like to see this applied to the key areas identified above, so that the scarce resources available to Defra can make the most impact.
ESA
In separate correspondence sent to the minister earlier this week (November 20), David Palmer-Jones, chief executive of waste management firm SITA UK and chairman of the ESA, said that the legitimate waste and resources industry is being undermined by a failure to enforce regulations by the regulating body the Environment Agency.
He went on to warn that limited investment in waste infrastructure was feeding uncertainty in the industry, and ongoing government involvement was vital to secure a future waste and resources agenda.
Finally, Mr Palmer-Jones has requested a meeting with the minister at the earliest opportunity in order to discuss how the issues raised in his letter could be addressed.
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