In particular it has highlighted a need to prepare for proposed mandatory food waste collections in England from 2025, although this is seen by some as one area where the government might even backtrack.
Concerns have also been expressed by others over the delay (see letsrecycle.com story) including the aluminium can sector (see below).
Technical details
Publication of the plans, by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had been expected about a week before Easter. However, they were pulled at the last minute because of ‘minor technical details’ although some in the waste sector consider that political pressures may have also been a factor in the delay. Publication is now expected after the local government elections in May.
LARAC concerns
Now LARAC has said that it is “extremely concerned in general about the delays to the consultation responses and the release of the Statutory Guidance consultation.”
The organisation said that it had expected the initial consistency response to be published in January 2022. In a statement LARAC noted: “The 15 month delay has significantly impacted our members’ ability to design, procure and implement the waste and recycling services required under the forthcoming obligations. We fully support the reforms to legislation that will increase recycling and move us closer to a circular economy, but we are keenly aware of local authorities’ need for clarity to activate these new requirements.”
Food waste is a core area of the consistency proposals with the original Defra proposal for mandatory collections across England. LARAC observed: “A significant concern is the deadline of April 2025 for introducing food waste collection services, and this deadline has yet to be delayed in line with the delay of the consistency response, leaving local authorities with an extremely tight timeline to introduce services whilst still waiting for clarification around the new burdens funding.”
On dry recycling services, LARAC said that councils are still waiting for further details on the application of the TEEP assessment and how this will be applied, leaving them with even more concerns over which dry recycling services they may need to implement and how these will be paid for.
TEEP assessments can allow local authorities to continue with commingled collections but the wording of what is allowed is expected to be refined under the new proposals.
Aluminium cans
A view from the aluminium can and aluminium packaging sector came from Tom Giddings, executive director of the Alupro aluminium materials organisation. Mr Giddings said: “It’s hugely disappointing to hear of yet further delays to the government’s Consistency in household and business recycling in England policy announcement. Once again, there has been zero clarification or communication with the supply chain regarding the reasons behind this continued disruption.
“Understanding the implications of new policy is essential to help the industry plan for the future, act decisively and invest accordingly. We implore the government to provide the required clarity quickly, rather than continuing to string it out.”
Mr Giddings added: “Regardless of how long it takes new policy to finally make it to light, the fact remains that consistent collections across the UK are imperative to maximising recycling rates. When it comes to aluminium packaging specifically, it’s not only essential that all material is collected, but collected in such a way that maximises its quality and value (i.e. separate to paper and card and fibre-based composites). We hope that this vital point is reflected in the government’s announcement.”
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