Speaking exclusively to letsrecycle.com, Dr Hogg said that since the UK has not yet formally left or applied to leave the EU, the future of waste legislation remains uncertain, “for the simple reason that that will probably depend on the exit negotiations — and whether they prioritise market access or immigration.”
Dr Hogg also commented on the future of local authority waste systems, retaining targets and devolution post-Brexit.
Circular Economy
On the ongoing negotiations on the Circular Economy package at EU level, Dr Hogg said: “Given where other member states are expecting this to end— and they’re expecting the UK to exit the EU— it would be strange if they were to give much credibility to the UK in terms of its arguments.
“It’s obvious, I would say, that the UK’s voice is much diminished.
“It’s an open question as to whether the UK was ever committed to it,” Dr Hogg said of the Circular Economy Package, but added that negotiations on the package continue.
“This is a momentous decision that has been made, and it will have an effect on how those negotiations will proceed,” he said.
Nobody knows what the nature of the exit will look like, Dr Hogg argued, “There was no plan, because the leave campaigners were never unified. Nobody knows how it’s going to end up.” But, Dr Hogg added, legislation is unlikely to change in the short term.
Targets
While the Landfill Tax has done much to increase recycling rates in the UK, it is unlikely to be enough, on its own, to ensure recycling rates continue to climb in the future, Dr Hogg said.
“There are no statutory requirements for local authorities in England. There is nothing in the current legislation that ensures the 50% target is met,” he said.
“Defra has done very little over the last few years, and it was showing very little sign of doing much over the next few years — that may have to change as a result of the vote.”
However, well-implemented efficient systems, combined with the cost of landfill and treatment of residual waste could pave the way for local authorities to achieve high recycling rates, and the possible lower dollar-sterling exchange rate could see a rise in the value of commodities, which would benefit local authorities, he claimed.
“There are no statutory requirements for local authorities in England. There is nothing in the current legislation that ensures the 50% target is met. Defra has done very little over the last few years, and it was showing very little sign of doing much over the next few years — that may have to change as a result of the vote.”
Dominic Hogg
Eunomia
Local authorities
Dr Hogg added: “Against the backdrop of the existing policy, there is clearly no uniformity of view across local authorities as to what is the best thing for them to do.
“Different local authorities have always made their decisions for different reasons. You only have to look at the current landscape and the range of different collection systems within it.”
There are things that could be done to move things forward, Dr Hogg said. Pointing out a recent study for the Renewable Energy Association (see letsrecycle.com story) making the case for the financial benefits of mandatory food collections, he said: “there’s a good deal of sense in that.”
Dr Hogg added: “I understand the pressures [local authorities] are under in terms of their finances, but we still see a lot of local authorities making changes and improving their recycling, motivated by the desire to cut costs – as treatment and disposal of residual waste has become more expensive, reducing residual waste can save money.”
Future
Whatever happens, some change is likely, Dr Hogg said. “From [Eunomia’s] view, that presents an opportunity. It’s something I personally didn’t vote for, but I can see the opportunities.
“If we do review all existing legislation, then wouldn’t it be great to make sure it does what it should be doing?
“If the nature of our exit means we’re not bound by EU legislation – and we still could be – then whatever happens thereafter, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves, we can’t say it’s the fault of the EU Commission.”
Commenting on the possible connection between Brexit and devolution in the UK, Dr Hogg said: “You could imagine that in the process of reviewing legislation, there’s an argument for devolving more responsibility to the regional level.
“I suppose my hope for all areas of environmental policy is that the government, in reviewing the legislation, takes a proactive and forward thinking view. I hope that we seize the opportunity to improve what we’re doing.
“It’s up to us as a sector to put forward a positive agenda for change and to highlight the opportunities that may be about to present themselves.”
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