There was a cautious welcome for measures announced by DEFRA yesterday including the extended role for WRAP and the development of waste minimisation and recycling projects.
But disappointment was broadly expressed that the government had once again relegated key decisions to “ongoing studies” to be dealt with at a later date.
The Chartered Institution of Waste Management's Dr Jane Beasley, who was part of the team on the original Strategy Unit report, said: “The government response is a bit of a mixed bag. Specific actions have been identified within relatively short timescales, with responsibilities and funding routes clearly stated, which makes us optimistic that much needed government support for waste issues remains ongoing.”
She added: “However, despite a clear strategy emerging to address some of the recommendations, a number of decisions have been deferred subject to further consultation.”
The government had promised in November 2002 that it would respond to the Strategy Unit's recommendations on concerns like variable charging on household waste, the successor to the 140 million recycling fund and the setting up of a local government-industry forum in the budget 2003. This was then delayed by a month by local elections, and many of the expected announcements have now been put back to late 2003 and beyond.
Charging
A statement from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management said: “There was disappointment from CIWM that the possibility of implementing direct and variable charging remains on hold pending further study, as there is a plethora of information already available on the use of this approach.”
It had been hoped that the government would announce trials for variable charging on waste or incentivisation of household recycling. But the government announced only a review of the issue “by 2004”.
Dirk Hazell, chief executive of the Environmental Services Association said: “We are disappointed that the Government appears to have decided that direct charging will not be piloted in the current Parliament. While there may currently be operational difficulties with variable charging, it has for some time been clear that direct charging could immediately help.”
Cinderella
The CRN said that while the separate funding programmes announced by the government would “give a much needed boost to efforts to increase recycling in this country”, more detailed information needed to be forthcoming from DEFRA.
“We welcome the intention to provide more funding though, as always, the devil is in the detail. We look forward to seeing how the money is divvied up,” said CRN coordinator Andy Moore.
Describing themselves as the “Cinderella” of the waste industry, the Community Recycling Network called for more money to be given to the community sector to boost recycling.
Mr Moore said: “We hope that this translates into tangible assistance for the expertise development and service which our sector – so often the Cinderella of recycling – is becoming more and more successful in delivering.”
Minimisation
The Women's Environmental Network, active in campaigning for the use of re-usable nappies, praised the government's focus on waste reduction measures. It welcomed action promised on nappies and home composting, but said the government had not been “nearly bold enough” in failing to set targets for waste minimisation.
Continued on page 2
Subscribe for free