In a surprise announcement in January the bill was carried over to the “next parliamentary session”, with the Covid-19 pandemic cited as the reason why (see letsrecycle.com story).
Its return to parliament today means the bill is on track to become law in the autumn.
The bill outlines how the government plans to reduce waste and make better use of resources, among other policies aimed at transforming the environment.
Welcoming the bill back to parliament, recycling minister Rebecca Pow said: “As we build back greener from the pandemic, it is vital that we address the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss and protect and improve the environment for future generations.
“The Environment Bill will ensure we deliver the most ambitious environmental programme of any country on earth, which is why it is essential that we complete its passage into law as soon as possible.”
The delays to the bill have concerned many in the waste sector, and earlier this month there were urgent calls for it to return (see letsrecycle.com story).
Policies
Work on implementing policies which will be enabled via the Environment Bill continued despite the halting of its passage through parliament.
Consultations on the deposit return schemes (DRS) for drinks containers and extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging were launched in March (see letsrecycle.com story). An unexpected delay meant the consultation on consistent recycling collections, the third consultation with significant ramifications for the way the country deals with waste, followed at the beginning of this month (see letsrecycle.com story).
In December, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) appointed Dame Glenys Stacey as chair of the new, independent Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) (see letsrecycle.com story). The OEP is a watchdog created to hold the government and public bodies to account for their environmental credentials. It will formally begin its statutory functions once the bill receives royal assent, though it will be set up in an interim, non-statutory form from July.
Other commitments relating to waste contained within the bill include tackling waste crime and “more effective” litter enforcement. Powers to introduce new charges will minimise the use and impacts of single use plastics, Defra says, and the government will also be able to ban the export of plastic waste to developing countries.
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