Research from Bristol-based consultancy Atkins Environment found that companies are far more likely to focus on emissions rather than waste minimisation because strict limits are in place.
The report also criticised the Environment Agency for not doing enough regarding its Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive responsibilities in promoting waste minimisation and resources efficiency.
It said: “Through IPPC, the Agency has a central role in promoting the resource efficiency message to the companies it regulates. However to date it would appear that internally, within the Agency, that resource efficiency has not been taken up as rigorously as it could.
The report added: “Resource efficiency, although a central theme of the new integrated regime, has not to date had such a high profile as might have been desired. This appears to be because systematic resource efficiency is considered a low priority for companies and regulators alike. Businesses simply want to obtain a permit, and time-limited regulators are concerned that sites are issued with appropriate guidance and permits in a timely manner.”
Training
The report called for more staff training within the Agency and improved data and information on waste consumption and minimisation to address resource efficiency among the business sectors that most need it.
Sectors including the cement and lime industries and the paper and pulp industries have achieved “significant improvements” in resource efficiency driven by cost savings rather than IPPC. In other business sectors such as the metals industry, improvements have been much more gradual, while new entrants into the IPPC regime such as the food and drinks industry need more help from the Agency to improve.
The IPPC Directive encourages business and industry to reduce the impact their activities have on the environment by preventing or reducing pollution. It is intended to help industrial operators move towards greater environmental sustainability. By 2007, more than 4,500 installations in England and Wales will be covered by PPC Regulations.
Opportunity
The good news is that the amount of waste from regulated companies going to landfill fell by 25% between 1998 and 2002, while the amount of special (hazardous) waste sent for disposal was cut by 191,000 tonnes – the equivalent of more than 12,500 lorry loads.
Commenting on the report, head of process industries regulation at the Environment Agency, Dr Martin Bigg, said: “The findings of today's report show that the message is getting through and companies are seizing the opportunity to reduce waste and save money.
“For example, the cement and lime industries recovered almost three times as much waste in 2002 as they did in 1998,” he added.
The Environment Agency said it will now look carefully at the recommendations and consider how best to take them on forward over the next few months. It aims to look at progress in this area again when PPC is fully implemented.
The report, IPPC & Resource Efficiency – A Review of Progress can be viewed on the Environment Agency website.
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