The department confirmed this week that the government “is committed to reviewing the national recycling targets this year, in light of the progress made by local authorities in meeting their 2003/04 Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting.”
”I am going to make sure that the review looks at the collection of green waste by local authorities. “
– Elliot Morley
The review will include consideration of whether to set further statutory recycling targets for local authorities for the years beyond 2005/06, to succeed the current Statutory Performance Standards.
But, it is also expected that the review will examine the collection of green waste by local authorities, an issue which environment minister Elliot Morley identified as needing attention.
Speaking at a fringe meeting at the recent Labour Party Conference, Mr Morley said he was aware that some councils were collecting large volumes of green waste which was helping them to meet their targets.
Questioned as to whether it made sense for local authorities to collect the green waste, he highlighted the work of the Waste and Resources Action Programme. “WRAP are giving out thousands of home composters and I do home composting myself at home in Yorkshire. I am going to make sure that the review looks at the collection of green waste by local authorities.”
The minister also remarked that collections of green waste can make sense. At his London property, Mr Morley noted that he had little room for a composting unit in a small garden and so a collection could be helpful.
If the government was to phase green waste out of council recycling targets, it could have serious consequences for the recycling rates of the some of the UK's top performing authorities.
Register for free to comment