Many in the waste sector were surprised at the government's decision not to begin trials for variable charging systems that would see householders paying for collection services based on the amount of waste they produce. Proponents of the variable charging idea see it as a way to motivate householders to reduce the waste they produce.
But answering his critics, the environment minister said: “I have raised it in the past and the fact that it was included in the Strategy Unit report means it is moving up the political agenda but there are problems with it that have to be dealt with.”
Mr Meacher admitted that a number of local authorities were already looking to run trials on variable charging, but said the government needed to look into potential problems first.
He said: “What we are doing [on variable charging] is getting more information on how to deal with the problems involved. For example, you have to protect families with four children on benefits, who will inevitably produce more waste. There could be a support system to help people like this, but it would be very complex.”
Scare stories
Outlining his views in Westminster yesterday, the minister attempted to set straight some of the “scare stories” that had been reported in the press.
He said: “If variable charging is brought in, it will replace the existing flat rate charge in council tax, it will not be on top of that. There will be no 'd;ouble whammy' charge as some people have put it. If families cut down on their waste they would pay less.”
The minister also cited “waste tourism” as another problem that had to be looked into, although he added that he did not see this “kind of localised fly tipping” as a real cause for concern.
The waste industry does have some concerns for “waste tourism”, however, and still sees direct charging (charging a flat rate as part of householders' council tax) as the cheapest option to implement in the UK.
Dirk Hazell, chief executive of the Environmental Services Association, the waste industry trade body, said yesterday: “Variable charging may well be the long term solution for the UK but it does provide incentives to fly-tip or to put waste in other people's bins it does raise the issue of regression.”
Mr Hazell said that the council tax method was also the best way for poorer families to avoid costly waste collection charges.
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