Resource Association outlines election wish list

According to the Association, the proposals form a ‘comprehensive strategy’ which, if delivered by the incoming government in May would serve to boost the UK’s recycling sector.

Key amongst the demands are calls for a landfill ban on biodegradable waste to landfill and a legal duty to provide food waste collections accessible to every household by 2020. The proposals also include a requirement for businesses to present paper, glass, metals and plastic separately for collection, as is the case in Scotland, and a ban on the commingling of glass with other recyclables.

The Association has called for these measures to be underpinned by a Resource Management and Circular Economy Act, which it is claimed would help to provide an ‘intelligent, data-led’ resources strategy.

Demands

The six key elements of the proposed Act are:

• Establishment on a statutory basis of an Office of Resource Management, in line with the recommendations of the Materials Security Working Group (of which we are a member);
• Establishment of a statutory duty on businesses to collect and submit data on waste and resource use, placed on the licenced and regulated businesses that provide waste and resources collections;
• Introduction of a ban on biodegradable waste to landfill with a duty to provide food waste collections accessible to every household by 2020;
• Introduction of a requirement for businesses to separately collect key recyclables (paper, glass, metals, plastics) and food waste from their premises (as already introduced by the Scottish Government);
• Establishment of a statutory duty for local authorities to publish an End Destination Register for Waste and Recyclate, and extend the duty to contractors to provide the necessary data;
• Establishment of a ban on the collection of glass co-mingled with other recyclates.

Commenting on the manifesto, Ray Georgeson, the Association’s chief executive, said: “There have been growing demands across our industry for stronger leadership and fresh momentum in policy development in resources management. Our Manifesto for Resources 2015 is a significant shopping list of policy measures, but it reflects the need and depth with which policy in this area needs review and rejuvenation.

“As an indicator of what may be needed if we are to meet the challenge and potential of the circular economy and develop the jobs, growth and better resource use we know our industry can deliver, it is a call to action for future Members of Parliament and the incoming government, regardless of its political colours and complexity. We challenge them all to be bold and seize the prize of resources, jobs and growth in a circular economy.”