The work, which is being carried out by a ‘Harmonisation and Consistency Working Group’ run by WRAP, has been set up by the Defra minister to minimise the number of recycling collection systems over the next decade.
Mr Stewart – who was appointed recycling minister in May – outlined his vision for ‘five or six’ types of recycling collections at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester last month (see letsrecycle.com story).
Research into harmonisation is being spearheaded by the WRAP charity director Marcus Gover, with engagement from the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB), councils, and representatives from the waste industry including the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management.
Discussions across the four meetings held so far have been ‘highly sensitive’. A presentation outlining the findings was scheduled to be made to ministers in time for the Spending Review, however this has been delayed.
All collection types currently being floated are understood to have been devised in accordance with the TEEP legal framework, which requires local authorities to collect recyclables separately wherever practicable.
But, conversely, there has also been “no push” for councils to subscribe to kerbside sort systems within the ideas discussed so far.
‘Enthusiastic’
It is understood that Mr Stewart is also ‘enthusiastic’ about bringing forward a business case that would demonstrate to local authorities the potential benefits of consistency across recycling collections.
This business case, being developed with the involvement of Defra officials, could take the form of recycling trials.
Last month, the minister pointed to the range of different systems in London. He highlighted his concern for householders, describing them as having to cross London’s ‘Berlin Walls’ to figure out what collection method applied to them.
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