However, the likes of the ESA, CIWM, LARAC and textile and organics recyclers have also voiced their desire to see some leadership and action from government in developing “robust policy”.
Speaking exclusively to letsrecycle.com, waste and resources minister Mr Stewart said that he would welcome input from the industry in helping to develop policy (see letsrecycle.com story). The comments have opened the door for industry bodies to work together on a potential waste strategy to present to the minister.
Responding to the comments Environmental Services Association (ESA) executive director Jacob Hayler said the waste industry had been “crying out for a waste strategy for England, the absence of which is really harming investment in our sector” and that the minister had now “challenged the industry” to help come up with long term policies to support the circular economy.
Mr Hayler added: “ESA therefore looks forward to working with the minister to set in place a framework that will boost investment, create jobs and add value for the UK for the next 15 years and beyond.”
And, welcoming the Defra minister’s “open approach” the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) said that Mr Stewart has “emphasised his willingness to listen to our sector since day one”, adding that he has the Institution’s “full support on the issues under discussion, from food waste to collection harmonisation”.
However, the institution warned that “there is a fine balance to be achieved between capturing and tapping into the industry’s expertise and resources and having a government that is willing to show leadership in the development of robust policy”.
CIWM chief executive Steve Lee said: “Delivering progress on environmental issues – whether on climate change or the circular economy, for example – sometimes involves confronting and intervening in the market as well as working with the grain of it, and that is an essential role of government.”
Reprocessors
Resource Association chairman Peter Clayson also welcomed the minister’s comments, adding that he “completely seemed to understand” the concerns of reprocessors. However, Mr Clayson suggested that it was important to “give a consistent message” to the minister.
And, Mr Clayson – who is also business development manager at DS Smith – said his main concern was to work with the minister towards improving the quality of recyclate that reprocessors deal with, which would require enforcement of existing regulations as much as new policy.
He said: “At the end of the day if this circular economy is going to work we have got to get these materials currently seen as waste and turn them back into products. But we can only make products if we have quality raw materials. Reprocessors across the sector have found that getting good quality recyclate is particularly difficult – the Chinese government recognised this when it brought down the ‘Green Fence’ to incoming poor quality material.”
Councils
Giving the local authority perspective, LARAC chief executive Lee Marshall said that while his organisation hasn’t “had much contact” with Mr Stewart since his appointment last summer, the minister has nevertheless “showed willingness to engage with the industry in general”.
Mr Marshall added that LARAC is “very keen” to take up Mr Stewart’s overtures for dialogue in order to “explain our ideas and put across what we can do to support our members and the wider industry in reaching the 50% recycling target”.
Amid what he described as “the perfect storm” with cuts to council services and falling prices for commodities Mr Marshall conceded that Defra does not have an easy job in doing this.
But, he explained: “It is going to be a difficult one for him [Rory Stewart], we appreciate that … But we would want to discuss how we could find other funding streams, such as producer responsibility schemes.”
Textiles
Echoing LARAC on the commodities market downturn, textile recyclers spoke of the slump in their industry “which has lasted three years and shows no signs of ending” and called for dialogue with Defra on “several important initiatives” which could help the UK textiles market.
“The UK is still seen as being a leader globally when it comes to the re-use and recycling of textiles but unless we keep on top of our game we could be left behind.”
Alan Wheeler, director
Textile Recycling Association
Textile Recycling Association director, Alan Wheeler, said he was “very pleased to hear what Defra is saying” but that with values continuing to fall and “it has got to the point where it is no longer financial viable for many collectors to target lower value recycling grades”.
He said: “This is seriously impacting on our ability to even maintain current levels of re-use and recycling before we even think about trying to increase collections further.”
Mr Wheeler continued: “An evaluation of this nature has already taken place in the Nordic countries through their Green Growth initiatives and the governments of these countries have a much clearer understanding of the potential contributions that initiatives such as mandatory EPRs [extended producer responsibility], voluntary EPRs, in-store take backs and hiring schemes to improving the sustainability of the clothing supply chain. The UK is still seen as being a leader globally when it comes to the re-use and recycling of textiles but unless we keep on top of our game we could be left behind.”
Organics
From the green waste and food sector, Jeremy Jacobs, technical director of the Organics Recycling Group told letsrecycle.com that the organisation will continue to lobby in favour of mandatory food waste collections, despite suggestions by the minister that he will not look to pursue this measure.
Mr Jacobs said: “We recognise the difficult circumstances the minister finds himself in due to a lack of resource but there are still a number of opportunities to reduce red tape and reduce the burden on industry so it can grow sustainably in the future. In particular, following the example of Scotland, mandating food waste collections would not only improve recycling rates but also boost investor confidence.”
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