This is according to Jacob Hayler, executive director of the waste industry trade body the Environmental Services Association (ESA),the trade body for the waste management sector, commenting after the publication of the consultation responses to the Strategy in a policy statement yesterday (see letsrecycle.com story).
Within the responses, Defra outlined its proposals on recycling consistency, as well as timelines for further actions on extended producer responsibility for packaging, a deposit return scheme for drinks containers, and a tax on plastic packaging.
Defra also published the feedback from stakeholders and the public on the measures outlined within the four consultations which ran in Spring this year. These are likely to inform the Department’s thinking on the options it takes forward ahead of a detailed consultation on preferred options in 2020.
‘Crucial’
Speaking following the publication yesterday, Mr Hayler said: “It is crucial that the quality as well as quantity of the materials we send for recycling is improved. To that end, producer responsibility reform must place strong incentives on producers to design their packaging for recycling.
“These early indications on the detail Resources and Waste Strategy are promising.”
“Consistent collections should also be fast-tracked as quickly as possible to eliminate consumer confusion and reduce contamination. However, there is no point collecting more material if there is no demand for it. The plastics tax is therefore a positive first step in helping us close the loop and stimulate domestic reprocessing. A deposit return scheme has the potential to complement these measures in capturing commonly littered and unrecycled materials, so it is important that whatever form it takes, the whole system can work together.
“These early indications on the detail Resources and Waste Strategy are promising. Clearly further work is needed to ensure the proposals are cost-effective and deliver the right outcomes. We look forward to continuing our work with Defra and the Treasury to design a system that ensures resources are properly stewarded whilst boosting the economy and providing green jobs.”
LGA
In the public sector, Cllr Martin Tett, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association has welcomed the government’s decision not to impose mandatory free garden waste on councils.
“We support moves to a clearly defined core set of recyclable materials, provided it is fully funded, as well as further work on how funding from packaging producers and retailers will be allocated to councils.”
He said: “We are pleased Defra has listened to many of our concerns, including seeking further evidence on mandatory free garden waste collections, and recognising the need for local flexibility on compulsory food waste collections and separate collections of materials for recycling.
“We support moves to a clearly defined core set of recyclable materials, provided it is fully funded, as well as further work on how funding from packaging producers and retailers will be allocated to councils.
“The onus is now on manufacturers to urgently up their game by using packaging that is fully and easily recyclable, and pay the full cost of recycling packaging.”
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