The Waste Review published today (June 14) sets out a clear direction towards a zero waste economy, but there is no silver bullet for waste, according to environment secretary Caroline Spelman.
Writing in the ministerial foreword for the document, entitled Government Review of Waste Policy in England 2011, Mrs Spelman said there were a number of small levers which could be used in order to deliver long-term change.
She called for all aspects of society to join together go further and faster in improving recycling, reuse and above prevention rates.
But, she acknowledged that moving ahead on waste and recycling in the current economic climate represented a real challenge.
Outlining the importance of considering waste as a resource, Mrs Spelman said: We need, as a society, to value products and care about how they are made and used, and how we deal with them when we no longer need or want them.
If not, we will not only increase costs at a time when we are facing real challenges in reducing the deficit, but we will also have a negative impact on our environment.
Mrs Spelman said the government recognised that waste matters to people due it being a front-line service, but stressed that it also needed to be managed properly to avoid harming the environment.
Greenest government
At the same time, she highlighted its role as a source of renewable energy and of valuable materials, and said this was why the government was why we are committed to working towards a zero waste economy as part of the transition to a green economy and our commitment to be the greenest government ever.
Explaining what she hoped the Review would achieve, Mrs Spelman said: I believe that there is no silver bullet to solve waste, rather that there are a number of changes to policies and practices across the community, a number of small levers which we can pull in order to deliver long-term change.
She said government should work with industry, councils, civil society and communities, with an emphasis on making it easy for people and businesses to do the right thing involving rewarding good behaviours, and in a reference to collection frequency ensuring residents receive the regular, frequent service they should expect as taxpayers.
And, she gave particular emphasis to the role that civil society had to play, stating: “It is also an area where some of the more innovative civil society groups – charity, community and voluntary groups – can make a real difference.”
But, she added: “To move ahead on waste and resources at a time when we need to address the fiscal deficit sets us all a real challenge.”
Pickles
The launch of the Review was also marked by Communities secretary Eric Pickles, who said in a statement: Its time to consign the failed policies of unfair bin taxes, bin fines and bin cuts to the dustbin of history. Families pay 120 a month in council tax.
“Both Whitehall and the town hall need to raise their game to deliver more frequent and better rubbish and recycling collections in return.
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