Laura Sharman 07 May 2021

New measures to boost recycling rates

New measures to boost recycling rates image

New proposals to increase the amount of household waste being recycled have been unveiled by the Government today.

Under the plans, councils may be required to collect rubbish and recycling at least once a fortnight, although the Government will be assessing if this proposal is affordable.

Ministers are also considering providing every household with a weekly food waste collection from 2023 and free garden waste collections for every home.

Environment secretary George Eustice said: 'Householders want more frequent recycling collections. Regular food and garden waste collections will ensure that they can get rid of their rubbish faster, at no additional cost to them.

'Our proposals will boost recycling rates, and ensure that less rubbish is condemned to landfill.'

The Government said councils would receive extra funding to implement these changes, partly through the reform of the packaging sector.

The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) welcomed the consultation but said that the reduced consultation period of eight weeks was unacceptable for a consultation covering such key policy changes.

They also said that they were disappointed that Defra is still pursuing the imposition of free garden waste services.

The consultation states that councils will have to implement separate food waste collections by 2024/2025 at the latest. LARAC responded that they were concerned about the potential contractual and cost implications this could have for some local authorities.

Despite these concerns, they welcomed the confirmation that Defra will cover upfront and transitional costs of food waste changes as well as ongoing operational costs.

Carole Taylor, chair LARAC, said: 'There is a lot of frustration about the short period for this consultation. We would urge Defra to review this immediately and reinstate a full 12-week consultation period, as Government consultation guidance recommends.

'Regardless of the timescale I would urge all local authorities to take the time to properly consider this hugely important consultation and respond meaningfully to them. The outputs from this consultation will shape local authority waste services for the next twenty years and so we need to get them right.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding Triage

Essex County Council
£25395.00 - £32131.00 per annum + +26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Community Support Worker - Centralised Safeguarding TriagePermanent, Full Time£25,395 to £32,131 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Mechanical Engineer (Gas) - Harlow District Council

Essex County Council
Up to £450.0000 per day
Mechanical Engineer (Gas) Location, HarlowFull time, Temporary 6-12 Months £350.88 PAYE / £450.00 Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council

Essex County Council
£50 - £55 per hour
Principal Planner - Basildon Borough Council Full-Time, Temporary 6 Months Contract 36.25 hours£50-£55 per hour Umbrella Closing Date
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Systems Analyst Applications

Oxfordshire County Council
£46412 - £49282
The ICT Principal Systems Analyst will be the subject matter expert on the Children's Social Care and Early Help Applications. They will be aware of and will contribute to Application roadmap developments, keep abreast of legislative changes and customer Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker/Senior Practitioner - Family Support and Safeguarding - Banbury

Oxfordshire County Council
£38220 - £49282
You will manage a caseload tailored to your experience, ensuring that children’s and their families’ voices are heard, and their needs are met. You will work with families using the Family Support and Safeguarding Workbook modules, and a strengths-bas Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council
Linkedin Banner