William Eichler 18 February 2019

Council chiefs insist waste reforms must be ‘fully funded’

Local authority leaders have welcomed plans to ‘overhaul’ the waste system, but cautioned Whitehall that any reforms need to be fully funded.

The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs has launched a consultation on plans to reform the system by which waste is collected and sorted, cut plastic pollution, and move towards a more circular economy.

The consultation outlines plans to make businesses and manufacturers pay the full cost of recycling or disposing of their packaging waste. It also seeks to ensure there are a consistent set of recyclable materials.

It also includes proposals for separate weekly food waste collections for every household in England and free garden waste collections for households with gardens.

At the same time, the Government is seeking views on introducing a Deposit Return Scheme for cans and bottles which it hopes will lead to the recycling of the three billion plastic bottles which are currently incinerated or sent to landfill.

Defra is also consulting on plans to introduce a tax on plastic packaging which does not meet a minimum threshold of at least 30% recycled content.

‘We are committed to going further and faster to reduce, reuse, recycle and cut waste. That’s why we are leading the way to move away from being a “throw-away” society and drive up domestic recycling,’ said environment secretary Michael Gove.

‘Through our plans we will introduce a world-leading tax to boost recycled content in plastic packaging, make producers foot the bill for handling their packaging waste, and end the confusion over household recycling.’

Responding to the consultation launch, Cllr Martin Tett, environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, said: ‘The LGA has long called for producers to cover the full cost of recycling and disposing of their packaging, and we are pleased the Government has listened to councils and outlined plans to do this.

‘Councils are playing their part when it comes to improving recycling rates with our waste collection services diverting millions of tonnes of waste from landfill every year.

‘But we recognise that by working with government, there is more to be done to boost recycling to reach national targets and even higher standards.’

‘We are clear however that any changes to waste services and additional cost burdens on councils, who are already under enormous financial pressure, need to be fully funded,’ Cllr Tett added.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Ripon, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Cleaner and Caretaker

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £13.47 per hour
Are you looking for a cleaning role that is a little different? Bradley, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Specialist Customer Service Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£31,537 - £34,434 per annum
Are you passionate about helping others and making a real impact in your community? We’re looking for Specialist Customer Service Officers to join our dynamic Contact Centre team, the first point of contact for a wide range of essential services acros Oxfordshire County Council , County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Cook

North Yorkshire Council
£13.47 - £14.13 per hour
Are you keen to join a friendly team who are committed to making a real impact in their local community? Lancaster, Lancashire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Catering Assistant

North Yorkshire Council
£12.65 - £12.65 per hour
We have an opportunity to join our award-winning Facilities Management catering team. North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner