The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has today (July 16) revealed that a new version of the waste strategy is set to be published in April 2011.
The coalition government has pledged to be the greenest government ever. That means making sure we have the greenest economy ever
Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for the Enviroment
The announcement was made in Defra's draft structural reform plan, which was launched today by environment secretary Caroline Spelman and Prime Minister David Cameron.
The document outlines the main priorities for the government department and also explains how it intends to ensure economic growth while also protecting the environment.
Although the plan document does not provide specifics, the new strategy is expected to either replace or revise the existing Waste Strategy for England, which was launched in 2007 as a means of providing a policy framework for waste and recycling in the country. Separate strategies are currently either in place or under consultation for the devolved administrations.
Mrs Spelman has already said that the coalition government plans to review existing policy in order to become a ‘zero waste' society (see letsrecycle.com story)
The review is set to involve a call for evidence over the summer but Defra has indicated that no formal consultation document will be published (see letsrecycle.com story).
Priorities
The structural reform plan also states, with regards to waste, that the department will look to “drive a ‘zero waste agenda”, which will include as yet-unspecified agreed goals for 2014 to 2020, exploration of voluntary responsibilities on waste among businesses and a repeal of the Climate Change Act powers which would allow household charging for waste.
Furthermore, the structural reform plan reiterates the government's intention to promote energy-from-waste through anaerobic digestion, as was identified in the coalition agreement (see letsrecycle.com story).
The structural reform plan also includes Defra's intentions regarding the support and development of the agricultural sector, enhancement of the environment and biodiversity and the creation of a “strong and sustainable” green economy.
Launching the document, Mrs Spelman said: “The coalition government has pledged to be the greenest government ever. That means making sure we have the greenest economy ever. Businesses, communities, and individuals need to be supported to innovate and invest, use resources sustainably, and reduce waste, so that the economy is resilient to climate change.”
Implementation of the structural reform plan is subject to the conclusions of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), set to be completed in October 2010, with Defra's business plan also set to be published in the wake of the CSR.
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