Groundbreaking waste sector Responsibility Deal launched

A groundbreaking Responsibility Deal between the government and the waste industry was launched in Westminster today (June 23).

Under the deal – a key commitment in the recently-published Waste Review – the government will work with the Environmental Services Association (ESA) trade body to improve the management of waste as a resource in England through an agreed set of commitments.

These include a pledge by the ESA to develop a Code of Practice for materials recycling facilities to help improve material quality.

The ESA will also amend its Code of Conduct for members to require more engagement with local communities, improve services for SMEs and do more to promote the waste hierarchy.

For its part, the government will recognise the need for a significant increase in waste and resource infrastructure and give this full consideration as it reviews national planning policy.

The government and Environment Agency will also endeavour to reduce the regulatory burdens on environmentally responsible companies and crack down on waste crime.

A review of how well the deal has progressed is set to be carried out in 2014, by which time the government hopes that the quality of recyclables collected and sorted at MRFs will have improved, the industry will have raised its environmental performance and it will be easier for businesses to recycle.

The government has also said it will lead by example, by increasing the proportion of waste management operations on the government estate which are provided by signatories to this agreement and procuring products with recycled content.

Launching the deal which is the first of its kind in England – recycling minister Lord Henley said: This is a groundbreaking deal that will help to boost growth in the green economy.

“Businesses will benefit from more user-friendly waste management services and better advice on how to deal with their waste, while the government will be looking for ways to recognise good performance by waste management companies and in particular to cut red tape for those who are doing the right thing.

This responsibility deal is a prime example of Big Society of a sector in the economy deciding to set itself a challenge of delivering better outcomes. Leadership by the ESA in this area has been critical over the last six months.

ESA

Also launching the document, ESA chairman Ian Goodfellow said that the waste and resource management sector was a vibrant industry with a great future, which was investing several billions of pounds to recycle and recover value from more of Englands waste.

He added: We believe we can provide solutions to many of the challenges set out in the Waste Review, and this Responsibility Deal shows how we are committed to working with our customers and with communities to do just that.

“And we welcome the governments commitment to play its part through the Responsibility Deal, for example by ensuring the public sector buys recycled products and by encouraging local authorities to put in place infrastructure more quickly.

To help realise the commitments in the Responsibility Deal, the government and the ESA will work with the Federation of Small Businesses, other business trade bodies and chambers of commerce, local government organisations, the Environment Agency and WRAP.

WRAP has been working closely with the ESA on the MRF Code of Conduct in particular and this is due to be unveiled in Birmingham next week.

Business and enterprise minister Mark Prisk said: This Responsibility Deal with the waste management industry is most welcome.

“It is a good example of the way alternatives to regulation can work to achieve better waste management and recycling services for SMEs, and encourage better sorting of recyclable material to help the recycling industry.

Shanks

Commenting on the announcement, Tom Drury, chief executive of Shanks Group Plc, said that the deal made up for a lack of ambition in the Waste Review.

He said:”The Waste Policy Review was a missed opportunity in providing clear targets and timelines to help us become a zero waste economy, but we are hopeful that this Deal will go some way in delivering progress.