Open to anyone with an interest in resource efficiency, the consultation will run until September 23 2013 and will inform the final Programme which is due to be published at the end of the year.
Defra is seeking views on proposed vision, priorities, metrics and roles which could help reduce waste produced across the economy. Devolved Administrations are developing their own prevention plans, which will be published separately.
All EU member states are required under the revised Waste Framework Directive (rWFD) to publish a Waste Prevention Plan by January 2014. The launch follows a Call for Evidence consultation period held earlier this year (March 11) for industry contributions, which aimed to determine how this target could be achieved (see letsrecycle.com story).
Organisations consulted at this time included Coca Cola Enterprises, Amazon, Community Recycling Network UK, IKEA and Biffa. It was closed on April 29 2013.
Some of the Programmes primary aims identified by the Call for Evidence include reducing waste arisings in priority materials such as food, textiles, paper, plastics, and WEEE equipment, while protecting environment and human health against the adverse impacts of generation and management of waste.
‘What we have set out in this programme will help businesses save money, help people cut back on waste and pass on items that they would otherwise throw away’
Lord de Mauley, Defra minister
The consultation also suggests simple measures to produce less waste, which could pay back within a year and save UK businesses 17 billion. It advocates long-term investment in reducing waste and a move towards sustainable business models with an emphasis on design and production techniques.
Resource management minister Lord de Mauley said: Reducing waste is everyones responsibility. What we have set out in this programme will help businesses save money, help people cut back on waste and pass on items that they would otherwise throw away. This consultation is an opportunity to comment on our suggestions on how this can be achieved so that we can protect the environment and help boost the economy.
Waste Management Plan consultation
Meanwhile, Defras Waste Management Plan for England consultation launched on July 15 has been extended by an additional month.
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Originally confirmed for an August 9 deadline, a Defra spokeswoman said the consultation period for the Plan had been extended to September 9 following requests for additional time, as many interested parties are away or unavailable on holiday.
The consultation looks at how government policy can support the implementation of Waste Framework Directive objectives, while providing an overview of the current waste management infrastructure in England (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Plan itself does not contain any new policies on waste management, but is rather a culmination of findings published in the 2011 Waste Review (see letsrecycle.com story).
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