The government-supported forum published its Action Plan today, recommending how the UK should manage hazardous waste when “co-disposal” is banned from mid-July, 2004.
One of the main issues discussed by the Forum is the most effective method of reducing the amount of hazardous material needing disposal.
The Action Plan said: “The Forum has considered the use of targets for hazardous waste reduction as an important means of driving and monitoring progress. However, the information required to set realistic and achievable targets is not currently available. Once the information is available, the Forum will recommend where and how specific targets might be introduced.”
Regarding other issues surrounding hazardous waste, the Action Plan makes these main recommendations:
- For more clarity and firm and fair enforcement on regulations and legislation.
- Raise awareness amongst businesses and industry regarding issues.
- For clear information on the likely treatment and disposal capacity requirements for hazardous waste.
- To develop policy instruments to encourage waste minimisation and responsible management.
- To develop better data on hazardous waste arisings and to address issues concerned with household hazardous waste.
Responding to the document, environment minister Elliot Morley said: “I welcome this Action Plan from the Hazardous Waste Forum. It clearly sets out the issues confronting us. Action is underway to implement the legislation and address the issues raised.”
Professor David Wilson, of the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and chair of the Forum's strategic framework sub group, said: “The stakeholders have done a good job in coming together to agree on the actions, however this is only the beginning, we now have to continue to work together for the long term.”
Overdue
Speaking in response to the action plan, the Environment Services Association's chief executive Dirk Hazell said: “ESA and our members have assiduously supported the work of the forum which has identified many of the key issues that need to be addressed. This work is long overdue.”
He added: “For years ESA has warned that the UK risks a hazardous waste crisis from next July, even now, the UK's waste managers still do not know how the government intends to manage hazardous waste from July so it is not possible to invest in treatment plants. Indeed, the authorities' failure to enforce regulation has forced our members to close modern plants which manage hazardous wastes in the safest way.”
Mr Hazell warned that the government and the Environment Agency need to utilise the time up until the end of co-disposal more effectively in order to avoid a “hazardous waste crisis”.
To view a copy of the Action Plan visit the Hazardous Waste Forum website.
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