Industry backs NAO report criticising slow pace of waste reforms

The independent public spending watchdog issued a report  on Friday (30 June) warning of a high risk that Defra will miss its timelines for its collection and packaging reforms, saying that the department is “not prepared” to roll out the legislation (see letsrecycle.com story).

In response to the report, several waste and recycling companies and organisations released statements welcoming the report, including Veolia, Suez and the Recycling Association.

In response to the report, Tim Duret, director of sustainable technology, Veolia UK, said: “We all want to push for higher recycling rates and help more items find their way into the circular economy. Waste reduction, ecodesign and consistency in collections will all help us to reduce the amount of waste we produce and help create a recycling society, but we need the Government to act now.”

He added: “The sooner the government puts the Resources and Waste Strategy into practice the faster this will happen. Businesses, local authorities, and the recycling industry need clarity so we can prepare for the changes in the most viable and sustainable way.”

‘Clarity’

The report raised concerns about Defra’s lack of clarity regarding the necessary decisions and timelines for implementing new interventions.

The NAO said Defra is currently exploring plans for additional interventions, but it does not have a “clear understanding of the required decisions, timing, and sequencing to ensure realistic timeframes for design, testing, and implementation”.

Dr. Adam Read, chief external affairs and sustainability officer for Suez recycling and recovery UK said: “The commitment is there and Suez and others in the sector are taking action now to be ready to implement the solutions, services and infrastructure to meet the needs of the new targets and policies, but the step change we need requires Government to provide more clarity on policies, governance structures, funding, timetables and metrics, along with a clear roadmap for achieving a decarbonised waste sector as we strive to deliver a Net Zero society.

“This in turn will drive investment in new services and infrastructure and ensure we can measure their progress, creating transparency and accountability throughout the value chain, and delivering efficient solutions that are appropriate and resilient for our customers.”

Dr Read added: “We agree with the NAO that the time for decisive action is now, and that Defra must deliver on its commitments at pace, so we can make further progress on the work we are doing with our customers and suppliers to make the transition happen.”

‘Get on with it’

Meanwhile, the NAO report has prompted the Recycling Association to emphasise the urgency for Defra to proceed with the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and consistent collections reforms.

The association’s response underscores the need for swift action from Defra in these key areas of reform.

But, the Recycling Association believes that the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) should be abandoned in its current guise to get on with other reforms.

The Recycling Association chief executive Paul Sanderson said: “The Resources & Waste Strategy was launched in 2018 and we’d have hoped to have seen more progress by now. It is especially concerning that NAO found that effective delivery plans for this policy do not exist.

“How can recyclers, waste management companies, local authorities, retailers, manufacturers and other stakeholders plan for change when Defra hasn’t even done the delivery planning itself?

Mr Sanderson continued: “EPR and Consistency of Collection reforms have the potential to transform the recycling sector, helping to improve the quality and quantity of material in this country. It means packaging will be designed for recyclability and almost everybody will have the same recycling collection wherever they live.

“In 2018, the recycling industry was broadly in favour of these reforms, but the policy has been allowed to drift by Defra and the NAO rightly warns that businesses need clarity.

“Defra needs to respond to this report in the right way by getting on with implementing these flagship policies of EPR and Consistency of Collections. We completely agree with the NAO that Defra needs to develop a clear outline path to achieving its ambitions and provide clarity to all stakeholders. Our message to Defra on EPR and Consistency is get on with it.”

‘Looking Ahead’

Steve Palfrey, chair of ADEPT’s waste group said: “ADEPT welcomes this report from the National Audit Office and I want to thank them for offering ADEPT the opportunity to contribute.

“The NAO has clearly set out how the government needs to progress implementation at pace to deliver against its commitments, and we agree that this continued delay is really unhelpful. Contrary to calls from some producers, it is critical we introduce extended producer responsibility if we are truly committed to developing a circular economy, and we share the NAO’s concerns about deposit return schemes.”

Mr Palfrey continued:  “We urge the government to publish its overarching plan for how waste reforms will work together for the sector as a whole.”