In the publication of its environment manifesto today, the party reiterates its stance on waste reduction. It says: “Liberal Democrats will set a long-term goal of zero municipal waste, through waste minimisation, reuse and recycling.
“As a first step, we will ensure that within seven years, 60% of all household waste is recycled, and we will aim to offer every householder regular kerbside collections,” says the manifesto.
Yesterday, the Green Party announced that it would see 60% of waste recycled by 2010, however the Conservatives and Labour have not suggested future targets for recycling in their manifestos.
Producer responsibility
Outside of its vision for domestic waste, seemingly taking a lead from the WEEE and ELV directives, the Lib Dems says they would also like to see a wider imposition of producer responsibility.
The manifesto states: “Manufacturers will be held responsible for disposing of their products and materials that are difficult to reuse or recycle.”
On waste treatment options, the party says that if it got into power: “We will not allow new incinerators for municipal waste unless they can be shown to be the best environmental option after considering all alternatives, including new technologies such as pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion, where waste reduction and re-use are not possible.”
Incineration tax
Lib Dems' environment spokesman Norman Baker has recently suggested a possible tax for incineration as well as landfill. He said: “There is no tax on incineration, despite the fact that it has been downgraded in the hierarchy by the EU and is now officially a disposal technique.”
The party has been critical of current environmental legislation, such as the Clean Neighbourhoods Act. Although junior environment spokeswoman for the party, Sue Doughty, has welcomed the Act, but she believes it needs to go further and impose stronger fines for environmental crimes.
The party is also in favour of more discussion on variable charging and further consideration of the plastic bag tax.
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