Like many industries worldwide, the waste and recycling sector is still suffering the effects of a pandemic-related hangover. What sets ours apart is the real-world impact it’s having.
One of the most significant symptoms and a major ongoing industry challenge are the delays in permitting at the Environment Agency.
Back in 2020, following government guidance, the Environment Agency temporarily closed most of its offices as employees worked remotely. The shift caused instant delays in the national permitting service and businesses in the process of applying for or varying an environmental permit were advised to prepare for temporary setbacks.
In 2022, there were suggestions that some firms were waiting up to 20 months for the Environment Agency to issue bespoke permits, with consultants stating some businesses were operating without permits because they couldn’t afford to wait. This ongoing presence of delays remain a concern and the Environmental Services Association at the time said members are “considering investing elsewhere in Europe as it will ensure a permit in a more timely manner”.
Thankfully in some circumstances, alternatives are possible such as the use of an exemption, an existing regulatory position statement or to cover a short term gap where a permit is required, a local enforcement position (LEP). However, we must tackle this pandemic legacy of delays quickly.
To stop this from impacting investment decisions and firms from applying for permits before they’ve won contracts (which only compounds the issue if some contracts don’t come to fruition), we need to see increased resourcing and fast. For businesses like ours, striving to bring innovation like biotechnology into the mainstream, we need red tape to be as efficient and easy as possible. Without it, our collective efforts on the road to net zero will stall.
Finding solutions
Perhaps part of the solution lies in shifting the spotlight. Instead of focusing on what should be done, we need to concentrate on how it can be done – that is removing barriers to the adoption of new technologies and making it easier for organisations to embrace change.
If permitting departments took the time to get closer to environmental innovators and waste handlers it would go some way to help. It would provide occasion to understand new technologies as well as operational challenges, and better equip permitting departments with the insights and reassurance needed to enable rather than disable change. Encouragingly, we hear that this partnered way of working is already in play in Scotland – proof that red tape needn’t be so problematic. We, like many others I’m sure, are ready to work more closely with the Environment Agency and other regulators to share our knowledge and offer support. Improved partnership will most certainly pave the route ahead.
Delays prevent decisions from being made by both the public and private sectors
Unfortunately, the department for the environment, food and rural affairs (Defra) is experiencing delays too with regard to environmental policies and schemes such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), which adds even further pressure and uncertainty. Chairman of the environmental audit committee Philip Dunne MP has voiced his anxiety about the ‘culture of delays’ within Defra and I share his worries. Delays prevent decisions from being made by both the public and private sectors and take the wind from the sails of even the keenest proponents of innovation.
Decision-making
Of course, there is no disputing that the environment has to be protected and it’s vital that we keep cowboys out of the industry, but we need quicker decision-making regarding permitting, environmental policies and schemes such as EPR. These measures have been developed to shape the future of waste and recycling, protect the environment, increase sustainability, and reduce our impact on global emissions – but we can’t possibly achieve those goals if they are not implemented.
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