A Labour government would follow the example set by the Welsh and Scottish governments and set more challenging recycling targets, the Party has revealed in a consultation on its future waste policy, published today (April 19).
Resource security: jobs and growth from waste, which is due to be launched by shadow ministers Mary Creagh and Gavin Shuker in London this afternoon, sets out the Partys policy priorities ahead of the 2015 general election.
In the document, Labour criticises the coalition government for setting targets that strive for the bare minimum of requirements under the Waste Framework Directive.
It adds that a Labour government will re-evaluate current recycling targets, in order to assess whether a new set of targets, in line with those set by the Scottish and Welsh governments, would drive up recycling in England.
The document states: The last Labour government transformed this nations relationship to municipal waste. We quadrupled household recycling, introduced measures to divert waste from landfill and secured capital investment in new technologies.
Under the current government, progress has stalled. The 2011 Waste Review was a missed opportunity to drive innovation and boost investor confidence. Meanwhile, in Wales, Labour in government is demonstrating that political action can drive up standards and create jobs.
We believe that Britain can do better. As part of Labours Policy Review we will focus on generating sustainable growth and new jobs in and through the waste industry.
Export
Meanwhile, the document suggests that Labour would seek to reform the Packaging Waste Export Recovery Note (PERN) system, which it says incentivises businesses to export poor quality recyclate overseas.
And, the Party has pledged to explore methods to ensure that materials are recycled to a high standard, and that it will promote a level playing field for domestic recyclers.
We believe that Britain can do better. As part of Labours Policy Review we will focus on generating sustainable growth and new jobs in and through the waste industry.
We believe that Britain can do better. As part of Labours Policy Review we will focus on generating sustainable growth and new jobs in and through the waste industry.
Mary Creagh, Defra
Labour claims that low carbon industries are needed to supplement those that have been lost or weakened, and have a crucial role to play in rebuilding the economy. The Party hints that it may also seek to incentivise businesses who design products that can easily be reused or recycled.
However, the Party has given no indication in the review if it is likely to include a ban on sending food waste to landfill among its future waste policies. Shadow Defra minister Mary Creagh told representatives of the packaging industry at a conference in January that a food waste ban was being seriously considered by the Party (see letsrecycle.com story).
The consultation document is available at YourBritain.org.uk for stakeholders to comment.
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