The statistics, which were published by Defra last week (August 6), show England reached a recycling, reuse and composting rate of 44.8% in the 12 months to December 2014 – a 0.6% increase on the previous year (see letsrecycle.com).
According to Defra, the slight increase was driven by a rise in the volume of organic waste recycled, which was up 9.9% compared to the same period in 2013.
Commenting on the figures, the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) welcomed the recycling boost, but argued that an alternative to ‘weight based targets’ is required by councils – which are too easily impacted by seasonal variations.
The local authority body also voiced concerns that the figure showed a 3.7% increase in waste arisings for the 12 months. It added that the arisings would place a ‘further burden’ on the finances of local authorities at a time when more cuts to budgets are expected, and called on government to promote waste minimisation to householders.
Squeeze
Sally Talbot, vice chair of LARAC, said: “While some will no doubt concentrate on the overall recycling rate, the increases in dry and food recycling show our members are still introducing new services and aiming to hit the 50% target. This is all the more commendable given the ongoing squeeze of council budgets and the certainty that more are to come.
“However the figures show that people are consuming again and the increase in overall waste arisings is something that needs to be tackled at a national level. Local authorities have done sterling work in this area but it is time to recognise that there is only so much we can do.”
Also commenting on the latest results, executive director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Jacob Hayler, said that the pace would ‘clearly have to improve’ if England is to meet the 2020 target.
Mr Hayler said: “It is positive to see that England’s recycling rate hit a new high of 44.8% in 2014. However, if we are to hit our 2020 recycling targets then the pace of increase will clearly have to improve.
“Three quarters of the improvement in annual performance came from higher rates of organics recycling and, as local authority budgets continue to be squeezed going forward, we need to ensure that these trends aren’t reversed.”
- For further debate on England’s recycling targets, head to the LARAC Conference and Celebration Awards in Nottingham October 14-15. For more information, click here.
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