Thomas Bridge 03 July 2014

Tougher UK council recycling targets planned by Europe

Councils could be forced to recycle 70% of local waste by 2030 under new proposals put forward by the European Commission.

Plans would enforce recycling of at least 80% of packaging waste by the end of the next decade and place a ban on burying recyclable waste in landfill from 2025.

The announcement marks a step change from Brussels as leaders attempt to strengthen waste targets in existing EU directives and move towards a 'more circular economy'. However waste management professionals said the new targets would pose a 'challenge' for the UK.

Current goals require half of all municipal waste to be being recycled by 2020. Yet latest figures released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show only 73 of England's 352 local authorities were reaching this target in 2012/13, with some recycling as little as 12%.

The EC's environment commissioner, Janez Potocnik, said achieving new waste goals would create and estimate 580,000 new jobs across the Continent while supporting continued re-use of materials.

'The 2030 targets that we propose are about taking action today to accelerate the transition to a circular economy and exploiting the business and job opportunities it offers,' he said.

'If we want to compete we have to get the most out of our resources, and that means recycling them back into productive use, not burying them in landfills as waste. Moving to a circular economy is not only possible, it is profitable, but that does not mean it will happen without the right policies.'

The UK Government issued warnings about the plan, indicating new targets could increase financial pressures on town halls.

A Defra spokesperson said: 'We think the Commission's proposals may have underplayed the potential costs to business, householders and local authorities and will want to consider the impacts fully before we respond.

'While we support efforts to reduce waste we need to ensure that any new legislation would meet our priorities to protect the environment, incentivise growth and avoid unnecessary burdens.'

Steve Lee, chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, said: 'The current 50% municipal waste recycling target by 2020 could already be hard for England to hit.'

'The same goes for the 70% recycling target by 2030 proposed today, but even more so. Alongside this challenge, the package also has clear and strong messages about cutting waste to landfill, tougher recycling targets for packaging, and the development of national plans to reduce food waste by 30% by 2025. None of us should pretend these will be easy to meet.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner