Skip to content

Central government plans to introduce consistent waste collections – consultation

  • by JW

“There is a lack of detail on how end markets will be developed, which leaves a lot of responsibility with councils and their collection systems.”

.

There are various proposals on reducing waste and increasing recycling.

The government is currently consulting on a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans:

Deposit scheme for bottles – consultation ends 4th June – Vision Group for Sidmouth

Back in 2019, central government first tried to tackle the inconsistencies between local councils – although there were misgivings:

Central government plans to introduce consistent waste collections threaten East Devon’s recycling system – Vision Group for Sidmouth

It is  trying again:

Consistency in household and business recycling in England – GOV.UK

Consistency in Household and Business Recycling in England – Defra – Citizen Space

Here’s the view from the industry:

In its delayed consistency consultation, Defra proposed that councils would have to provide every household and business with a plastic, paper and card, glass, metal and food waste collection service by 2023 (see letsrecycle.com story).

However, the department says it recognises that it may not be practicable for all local authorities and other waste collectors to collect these materials from the outset, or for sorting and treatment facilities to have made necessary changes to accept these materials by then. It is therefore seeking views on any necessary ‘transitional arrangements’.

‘Work to do’ for consistency introduction – letsrecycle.com

Defra urged to ‘re-think’ business waste plans – letsrecycle.com

From local government:

The ultimate aim of consistent collection is to provide more of the clean, high value material that the recycling industry wants and can process in the UK. There is a lack of detail on how end markets will be developed, which leaves a lot of responsibility with councils and their collection systems.

Consultation on consistency in recycling collections in England – LGA response | Local Government Association

And from the Rural Services Network:

Whilst we welcome proposed steps to increase recycling we have concerns re potential financial impacts on rural local authorities.

RSN Shares its Concerns and Seeks Your Views on the Government Consultation on Consistency in Recycling – Rural Services Network