A draft report on the state of waste management and recycling in the region will be presented to a conference in Wigan organised by the North West Regional Assembly. The report warns that the chances of meeting the government's targets at a regional level look slim. It notes that with a few exceptions, recycling rates across the region have been historically low and actions to secure early improvements “have been patchy and uncoordinated”.
The draft finds that there is a lack of real political commitment to meet the targets. It says: “Local political commitment is often high on face value but not up to speed with the implications of the Waste Strategy 2000. Actual political profile, priorities and investment in waste management strategy and implementation is very variable.”
Commitment
Political commitment and direction should be enhanced at all levels, the draft report says. “More should be done to inform and educate council members and executive managers about waste management and environmental strategy and local authorities and the wider public sector should manage their internal operations in accordance with the waste strategy objectives and targets.”
The report also looks at strategies and actions. If says that at waste disposal authority level, practical initiatives have been largely confined to increasing recycling and composting rates at civic amenity sites. “Green waste composting has been a particularly productive method.”
It finds against the collection of mixed waste reporting that “there is mounting evidence that systems that rely on mixed waste collection may never achieve the government's targets.”
Among the “sensible” initiatives identified are:
- Segregated kerbside collections
- Increased recycling at civic amenity (CA) sites
- Green waste segregation at CA sites and composting
- Banning of trade waste from CA sites
- Publicity and education initiatives
- Recyclate market development and recycled product procurement
- Training and skills development.
The draft report also reports that investment and financing change is seen as a major barrier. “Against a background where current costs for collection and disposal within the region vary by more than 50%, it is not surprising that the cost of investment in new waste strategy is not well understood. Most notable is lack of investment is in understanding the problem, information and engagement.”
And, the study finds that “there remains a perception that recycling should be self financing and even profitable”.
Regional Assembly
The North West Regional Assembly is based at Coops Building, Dorning Street, Wigan WN1 1HJ, www.nwra.gov.uk
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