Working with councils to improve the “frequency and quality” of their refuse collections will be one of the key issues considered as part of the government's review of England's waste policy, environment secretary Caroline Spelman revealed today (July 29) as she unveiled the terms of reference for the review process.
The document, which was published alongside a call for evidence from interested parties, also reflects the coalition government's ‘localism' agenda, with plans to look at enabling community ownership of waste infrastructure and to decentralise “power and responsibility” for some services to local communities.
This is an exciting opportunity to look again at how we can increase recycling, reduce landfill and help unlock the real economic value of items people no longer want
Caroline Spelman, environment secretary
And, it reiterates the government's commitment to look at how best to incentivise households, businesses and communities to produce less waste and recycle more – echoing its already strong support for recycling incentive schemes such as RecycleBank (see letsrecycle.com story).
Collection frequency has already been identified by communities secretary Eric Pickles as a priority with his criticism of fortnightly residual waste collections, and the terms of reference document groups it alongside other issues the new government has already been vocal about – “inappropriate enforcement practices” and moves to “cut the scope” of collections (see letsrecycle.com story).
The document states that the review will look at: “How government can work with local councils to increase the frequency and quality of rubbish collections and make it easier to recycle, to tackle measures which encourage councils specifically to cut the scope of collections; and to address public concerns over the civil liberty aspects of inappropriate enforcement practices associated with household collections.”
According to the terms of reference, among the other key issues which will be looked at as part of the review are:
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How to maximise waste management's contribution to the UK's renewable energy and climate change goals;
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The need for “waste evidence”, including data needed to gauge future waste volumes;
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Future infrastructure needs – including energy from waste and anaerobic digestion – including the role of planning and to “enable community ownership” of infrastructure;
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Achieving “better alignment” of business and household waste policies;
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The role of regulation and enforcement in waste management, in particular looking to reducing burdens on businesses while continuing to protect the environment;
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Ensuring the “right contribution” of energy from waste, including a “step change” in generation from AD;
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How to make the best use of “skills and knowledge” from the private sector, the third sector, civil society and communities;
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How to reduce the use of landfill so that in future it is only used for waste “for which no better use is practicable”.
It also confirms the review will look at issues such as “voluntary responsibility deals” with businesses, as well as potentially looking to use more recyclable and recycled materials in manufacturing, construction and production.
Defra noted that the review would include all these issues – but was not limited to them – and also stressed that the review was underpinned by the five-step waste hierarchy. The hierarchy is expected to be considered in all waste management decisions from December 12 2010 – the date by which the revised EU Waste Framework Directive must be transposed in the UK (see letsrecycle.com story).
Opportunity
Commenting on the detail of the review – which she originally announced last month (see letsrecycle.com story) – Mrs Spelman said: “This is an exciting opportunity to look again at how we can increase recycling, reduce landfill and help unlock the real economic value of items people no longer want.
“We are committed to working towards a zero waste economy because it makes environmental and economic sense. Reducing waste needs to be made as easy as possible for people, it should be driven by incentives not penalties and common sense rather than coercion,” she added.
The review process is being led by the department for the environment, food and rural affairs (Defra), but will also involve the department of energy and climate change (DECC), department for communities and local government (CLG) and the department for business, innovation and skills (BIS).
Call for evidence
Defra said that, while the review is focused on England, the devolved administrations would be involved, and, in its call for evidence, added that it was looking for “the widest possible input” from parties including businesses, householders, local communities and a range of other bodies.
It said these could include: public bodies such as the Environment Agency, councils, and the Waste & Resources Action Programme; private suppliers and funders of waste services and infrastructure; representatives from business and commerce; and, representatives of consumers, NGOs, the voluntary sector and academic and professional bodies.
Mrs Spelman said: “We want everyone to have their say on what waste policies should look like and how existing policies affect them. This will be a comprehensive review of all waste policy from product packaging to waste collection and I would urge everyone to get involved.”
Comments and evidence for the waste review process are invited until September 9, with the early results of the review expected to be published in spring 2011.
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