South East England proposes tougher recycling targets

A revision to the proposed waste strategy could lead to the government setting much higher recycling targets for the region's local authorities, a spokeswoman for the Assembly told letsrecycle.com.

The Assembly, which comprises 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities, opened its 20-year draft waste strategy up to consultation in March 2003 (see letsrecycle.com story).

Following the consultation, the Assembly, which includes representatives from local authorities in the region, has decided it can do better than the government's municipal waste recycling target of 25% by 2005, 35% by 2010, 45% by 2015.

The new targets the strategy is proposing include recycling 30% of municipal waste by 2005, 40% by 2010 and 50% by 2015. The region currently recycles an average of 19% of its municipal waste.

Councillor Keith Mitchell, chairman of the Regional Planning Committee, said: “The Regional Planning Committee carefully considered the comments and feedback from local authorities, town and parish councils, business, social and environmental organisations and individuals. Not all comments could be accepted, however, we have modified the Strategy in the light of many comments.”

The Assembly also proposes to increase the region's construction and demolition recycling target from those including 40% by 2005 and 55% by 2015 to 45% by 2005 and 60% by 2015. The regional currently recycles about 40% of its construction and demolition waste.

The full proposed targets for South East England are as follows:

Once the revised strategy has been finalised at the next full meeting of the Assembly on November 19, 2003, it will be sent to government calling for the resources and support needed to reach the new targets. It will then be up to the government to enforce the new targets for the region's local authorities.

Green belt
The strategy also proposes allowing green-belt land to be used for waste treatment facilities considering the “urgent” need for infrastructure. It is also considering a tougher policy on “importing” waste from London.

Cllr Mitchell, who is also leader of Oxfordshire county council, called on the government to provide the needed support for the Assembly's proposals.

He said: “The Strategy sets some challenging targets, particularly for reducing reliance on landfill, and will require the creation of a large number of new facilities for waste across the region. If we are to achieve these targets, however, it is vital that the Government provides sufficient regulations and incentives to stimulate the right investment. It also needs to support planning authorities when dealing with waste proposals. This backing has not been consistently provided to date and that now needs to change.”

For more information about the South East England Regional Assembly or its draft waste strategy, visit www.southeast-ra.gov.uk.