Widespread disappointment at “static” recycling targets

On Friday last week the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs consultation on English recycling targets through to 2008 came to a close. In the consultation Mr Bradshaw stated that his preferred option would be to increase the lowest targets from 18% to 20% but leave all other targets as they are.

” Of the options presented in this paper, (increasing the floor targets) is the one preferred by LARAC “
– LARAC
Responding, the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee said it agreed that of the four options made available in the consultation it believes this option is the best way forward, but felt the “static” option to be the best of a bad bunch.

LARAC said: “Of the options presented in this paper, (increasing the floor targets) is the one preferred by LARAC. The current consultation shows a distinct lack of ambition to increase recycling significantly even in the short term.

Long term

“The paper gives no indication that the government sees statutory performance standards as an important driver in the medium or long term.”

LARAC has suggested that a floor level of 30% recycling should be statutory, with the 30% cap brought in from November 2004 eradicated.

In its response, The Local Government Association has reiterated that many local authorities have set themselves targets, often much higher and over a longer period than the government's mandatory aims.

The LGA believes that where local authorities have set themselves these targets there is no need for statutory targets from central government.

The organisation has also called for more long term targets to be looked into, adding that local authorities need to know now what the “end game” is. The LGA has pointed to early problems in packaging recycling as an example of the need for longer term targets.

Packaging

It added: “All those involved with packaging compliance will remember the damage that was done when no targets were set for recovery of packaging materials a few years ago, and LGA believes this lesson is salient.”

The Environmental Services Association also expressed its disappointment at the targets, claiming that those at the top end of the recycling table need to be given as much of a push as those at the lower end.

” We are disappointed that the targets are being frozen, the government should be more efficient “
– Mike Walker, ESA
Mike Walker, director of policy at the ESA, said: “We are disappointed that the targets are being frozen, the government should be more efficient. It is all well and good to help councils at the lower end get up to speed, but those at the top end should still have targets to work towards.

Poor performance

“The bottom line is the UK still performs poorly in comparison to many other member states. We need the right policies in place to increases recycling, but targets help to push local authority targets even higher.”

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management has called for modifications to the targets to take into account local authorities that cannot collect garden waste – considered by many as an easy target to increase recycling rates.

The response said: “Kerbside collection of biodegradable waste is known to increase arisings slightly, this is not really in the spirit of minimisation. There could be modifications for different types of local authority, so that local authorities that have a high multi-dwelling property areas and so low garden ownership could be given a target that reflects their ability to achieve.

“Local authorities that are rural based and have high garden ownership would also have appropriate targets for their circumstances,” the CIWM added.