Unlocking the value of waste

Following the releaseofa review of government waste strategy by manufacturer’s organisation EEF, thereport’s authorsCharlotte Danvers and Susanne Baker from the EEF’s climate and environment policy team,outline three areas for action to boost resource efficiency.

When the Government launched its review of English waste policy it promised to help unlock the real economic value of wastes and assess what policies were really needed to achieve this.Six months on we ask whether Defra has succeeded in increasing the opportunity for sustainable waste mana

EEF report warns that manufacturers still hold a deep concern about accessing secure resources at the right quality, explains researcher Charlotte Danvers, one of the report's authors, pictured outside the EEF's London offices — EEF report warns that manufacturers still hold a deep concern about accessing secure resources at the right quality, explains researcher Charlotte Danvers, one of the report’s authors, pictured outside the EEF’s London offices

gement and resource efficiency in manufacturing.

Our report, “Defras Waste Policy Review – six months on” identifies three challenges for government to respond to.

Access to resources

Firstly, manufacturers still hold a deep concern about accessing secure resources at the right quality. Indeed, in a recent survey of manufacturing executives, 80% now regard a shortage of raw materials as a risk to their business. Of these, two thirds said it was their top risk. In addition, 1 in 6 companies said that a shortage of raw materials is now a brake on growth.

We need a resource management strategy analysing how materials can flow more easily in the economy, setting out what we need for the long-term. Other than some embryonic work to secure critical materials, the government has not seized the initiative here and could, and should, be much more ambitious.

Susanne Baker, senior climate and environment policy adviser, EEF

Secondly, the legislative framework for waste is confusing, disjointed and can inadvertently act as a barrier to resource efficiency. We need a new cohesive policy framework centred on valuing waste as a resource. This could revitalise the waste regulatory framework that has evolved piecemeal over the last 30 years. We believe there is a real opportunity for new better regulation approaches here.

Regulators can stimulate resource efficiency by outlining what is permissible, rather than what is not. There is also an argument for retargeting some of the existing regulatory stock. In particular, where a materials market is functioning well, government should reduce packaging producer responsibility regulation, and shift the focus to materials that need more market intervention.

Expert advice

Thirdly, manufacturers need excellent waste services and expert advice they can trust in order to make the most out of their wastes. Announcements such as the local authority commitment to open up services to businesses and the responsibility deal signed by the waste management sector are positive steps.We hope this marks the start of an ongoing process to open up access to all local authority waste infrastructure and ensure businesses get a high-quality service from their waste contractors.

Resource efficiency can give our businesses and the UK a real competitive edge whilst securing essential environmental outcomes. It is time for government to match the ambitions of business.

Share this article with others

Subscribe for free

Subscribe to receive our newsletters and to leave comments.

SUBSCRIBE NOW