UK waste management may ‘risk missing a trick’ says CBI

A more ambitious and cooperative approach is needed to waste management, according to a new report published today by the CBI.

The new report, “Making Ends Meet: Maximising the value of waste”, highlights the benefits of moving towards a zero-waste economy.

Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “We risk missing a trick by not harnessing the huge potential of waste. Rather than being viewed in isolation, waste management should be seen as an important part of the green economy and our growth strategy.”

The government currently has targets to reduce waste going to landfills by 35 per cent, and to increase recycled household waste by 50 per cent by 2020.

However, political debate is raging over the proposed European Regulations on separating recycling.

Many have interpreted separation to mean recycling from other waste, something most councils already do, but the Campaign for Real Recycling (CRR) is calling for a judicial review into the issue – they would like all recycling sorted into material types before it is collected.
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Mal Williams, Chair of CRR said: “We will be questioning Defra’s evidence base for the inclusion of commingling (mixing together)…I can reassure those who want to see value and quality in recycling that we are preparing our case and will be seeking permission for a judicial review to remedy this fudge.”

They argue for splitting recycling into different materials, such as paper and card, tin and plastic, and say taxpayers could save millions of pound by sorting their wastes.

The new report calls for a UK-wide fully integrated approach to waste policy, calling for cross-governmental cooperation moving towards a zero-waste economy.

One area to be assessed, according to the report, is financial barriers. With over 300 of the UK’s largest landfill sites set to close by the mid 2010s, and 2,000 new waste management facilities being required to cover these closures, investments of around £10 billion will be necessary. These are expected to come mostly from the private sector.

The CBI claims councils should be encouraged to share facilities, saving money and also believes firms should consider selling their recyclable waste as a resource, boosting the economy.

The report also claims creating “smarter regulation” and “fairer and better enforcement” is important, recognising the importance of waste management facilities to communities in planning reforms.

The CBI wants a more innovative approach to waste, increasing the electricity produced by waste from 1.5 per cent currently to 6 per cent by 2015, lowering our carbon use, and deliver energy security.

Anaerobic Digestion plants, which convert waste into energy, are one solution, but so far only two have been accredited under the Feed-In Tariffs (FITs) scheme.

Gregory Barker, Minister for State at the DECC voiced the government’s commitment to the technology. Speaking at last Thursday’s (10 February) House of Commons Debate, he said: “The coalition is committed to a huge increase in energy from anaerobic digestion. In addition to reviewing tariffs, we are simplifying the regulatory regime for operators of AD installations.”

Image: Chiara Marra | flickr