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Minister voices concern at waste growth ahead of waste summit

Twin concerns that the waste strategy's aims may not be achieved and the considerable opposition to energy from waste plants, are seen as being key reasons for the government holding a waste summit later this month.

Waste industry experts say that the government is anxious to ensure that all parts of the strategy are delivered and that officials are now recognising that some parts of the strategy, including recycling targets and the diversion of some landfill material into energy from waste, may run into difficulty.

Environment Minister Michael Meacher spoke of his concerns about the waste strategy issues this week. Speaking at the Biffaward awards ceremony, he said: “there are very real issues associated with the waste strategy. The whole waste process is increasing across the country and is not sustainable at all.”

He promised that the summit “will be a working day with a serious and frank exchange about what is going wrong or to pull round and improve what is going right.”

Mr Meacher said that event would see discussions “with stakeholders and all interested parties to discuss the issue of sustainable waste management.” Among the audience would be environmental and related NGOs, waste management companies and local authorities.

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