Environment Secretary confirms need to move waste away from landfill

She warned that the government was not in a position to simply throw extra resources in, adding that what is needed is priority on the active diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill and the avoidance of unnecessary extra costs.

Mrs Beckett stopped short of giving any clues as to how much extra funding might emerge from government in the wake of the Policy Innovation Unit review which is now underway. Some observers say that the review could find that as much as 1 billion is needed to be spent on new infrastructure and services.

And, the Secretary of State virtually dismissed the current waste strategy, published in 2000, seeing it as little more than a stepping stone to where the UK needs to be in the future. “The publication of the waste strategy was a very good start, but it was only a start. That is why we called together the waste summit.”

Milton Keynes
The Secretary of State’s comments came in a speech at the Institute of Wastes Management annual parliamentary dinner. Mrs Beckett reflected on the need to look at environmental issues at home as well on a world scale. “World affairs are important but what happens in Milton Keynes, Maidstone and Manchester matters as well. Every business, every community group, every public institution requires engaging.”
She said this was a challenge for everyone involved in waste management but it also offered potentially substantial rewards. Mrs Beckett also spoke on the role of industry saying that “it is vital that more sustainable practices are profitable for the waste industry.”

WRAP
Mrs Beckett also spoke warmly of the work of WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme, as well as revealing that producer responsibility initiatives are in sight for tyres and junk mail

“We want to see WRAP develop as a centre of expertise for market development and to advise on what government policy may need to be changed.”
She then noted WRAP’s various activities and praised its achievements in developing extra newsprint capacity for which it had managed to “lever in a massive investment in new newsprint capacity subject to state aid clearance.” This expansion (which will be at Shotton) will be a big help to local authorities, she added.

Welcome
Cathy O&#39B;rien, president of the IWM said she welcomed Mrs Beckett's remarks and was delighted that the Secretary of State had attended the dinner. She told those present: “There is a need for expedient legislation and we must minimise confusion on EU directives and legislation.” And, the president added that there are encouraging signs that industry is being involved more in government's decision making. “It is crucial that partnerships are established … to develop the necessary waste infrastructure.”

Dirk Hazell, chief executive of the Environmental Services Association, said he very much welcomed the Secretary of States's comments. “We are pleased that industry is involved with the review and we look forward to its outcome.”