The Assembly, an association consisting of representatives from local authorities,
the business community, education,
environmental
groups and the voluntary sector in the region, has already received some input on the strategy from its members. But now the draft strategy, Let's Take It From The Tip, is being thrown open for views from other residents and organisations in Yorkshire and Humberside.
The deadline for views to be heard is March 24, and the final version of the strategy is expected some time in April 2003. It is intended by the Assembly to provide a framework for the region's local authorities to strengthen recycling awareness, infrastructure and markets to reach statutory targets.
Figures quoted by the Assembly reveal Yorkshire and Humberside to be one of the worst regions in the UK for recycling – 7.2% of waste is recycled there, compared to around 16% in the South East. Assembly officials are also concerned that the region produces 15% of the country's industrial and commercial waste while only having 8% of its business and 9% of its employment.
The Assembly hopes to turn these figures around with the new strategy, and also aims to halt the 3% annual growth in waste by 2007-08.
“We all produce waste, so everyone has a valuable role when it comes to finding better ways of managing it,’’ explained Assembly chair Peter Box. “If we don’t take steps to tackle the problem we not only face the prospect of increasing costs for landfill taxes and possibly fines for not complying with European legislation, but will also have to deal with the environmental impact of where the rubbish actually goes.’’
A series of workshops will be held across the region during February to encourage participation in the consultation process.
“New legislation will restrict what sort and how much waste can go to landfill, so this is a problem facing us all and one which won’t go away,” Mr Box said, “that’s why we want as many people as possible to get involved – not just in developing the strategy, but in making it happen.’’
Click here
for the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly draft waste strategy, Let's Take It From The Tip.
Comments and suggestions can be sent to:
Richard Ullyott
Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
18 King Street
Wakefield
WF1 2SQ
Or by e mail to:
Richard.ullyott@yhassembly.gov.uk
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