Ellie Ames 17 September 2024

New waste tax could cost councils billions

New waste tax could cost councils billions image
Image: Peter Cripps / Shutterstock.com

A proposed tax on the carbon emitted from burning waste could cost councils billions over the next decade, according to new analysis.

The previous government put forward plans to expand the UK Emissions Trade Scheme, which puts a market price on carbon emissions in the aviation industry, to the incineration of waste.

The tax would come into force in 2028, costing English councils up to £551m that year, research by the Local Government Association (LGA), County Councils Network (CCN) and District Councils’ Network (DCN) has found.

The annual bill for could rise as high as £837m by 2036, according to the analysis.

Although some costs would be passed on to packaging producers through Extended Producer Responsibility, which is set to be introduced next year, the LGA, CCN and DCN said other industries that create fossil-based material, like in textiles, electricals and furniture, should be responsible for paying the tax.

DCN environment spokesperson Andy Graham said: ‘Taxing councils for the waste we have little option but to incinerate would be a bombshell for the delicately balanced funding of local waste services.

He added: ‘We want to make it easier for our citizens to recycle materials like clothing and medical waste so it doesn’t need to be incinerated.

‘We can only do this through action from producers, who should be incentivised to produce recyclable goods and penalised if they don’t.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Worker (Link Role)

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Family Worker (Link Role)Permanent, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Manager

Wakefield Council
£42,839 to £46,142, Grade 10.
We have fantastic opportunity available for a Residential Children’s Home Assistant Manager. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Council Tax Officers - North Lincolnshire Council

North East Lincolnshire Council
Grade 6 - £16,765 to £18,501 per year
You will be working as part of the Local Taxation and Benefits Shared Service North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Electoral Services Officer

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC15 - £30,024
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping democracy while thriving in a fast-paced, data-driven environment? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council

Family Support Worker

North East Lincolnshire Council
NJC 19 - £32,061
Are you committed to improving outcomes for our Young People? North East Lincolnshire
Recuriter: North East Lincolnshire Council
Linkedin Banner