The Official Information Portal on Anaerobic Digestion

Government publishes Waste Policy Review and AD Strategy and Action Plan

defra1The Government has today published it's Waste Policy Review, and the AD Strategy and Action Plan.

Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) conference, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said, “People want to do the right thing by reducing waste and recycling at home or out and about and we want to help them. This means making sure communities are getting the collection services they want and not penalising hard-working households who make minor mistakes by putting bins out on the wrong day or leaving a plastic tub in the wrong recycling box.

“For too long, we’ve lagged behind the rest of Europe, although we are catching up fast. Communities and businesses can help us become a first-class zero-waste economy and unlock the real value in the goods that people no longer want.”

The Government’s Waste Review sets out the following priorities:

  • Consult next year on introducing a landfill restriction on wood waste, review the case for introducing landfill bans on other materials, such as metals, textiles and all biodegradable waste.  The Government will work with industry to drive innovation in reuse and recycling in these products before the start of any bans;
  • Accelerate recycling and reducing waste creation in the first place by providing incentives for householders, recycling-on-the-go schemes, better services for businesses and voluntary responsibility deals focussing on the hospitality industry, plastic bags, paper, direct mail, textiles, and construction waste;
  • Scrap unfair bin fines and taxes while bringing in powers to deal with repeat fly-tipping offenders and genuine nuisance neighbours;
  • Crack down on illegal fly-tippers who persistently and recklessly pollute the environment and countryside.  We will consult on appropriate powers to seize vehicles, and look at penalties that might include offenders clearing up items they have dumped; and
  • Consult on increased recycling targets to 2017 for plastic, steel, aluminium and glass.  Targets will be consulted on and agreed in time for Defra’s 2012 Budget.

The Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan has also been published today, which will enable a thriving industry to grow in England over the next few years, delivering new green jobs as well as new green energy.

Key actions in the Government’s Anaerobic Digestion (AD) strategy and action plan include guidance on the cost and benefits of AD to developers and local authorities, evidence on the value of digestates, developing skills and training for AD operators, and highlighting ‘best practice’ projects that deliver community benefits. However, neither the AD strategy nor the waste Review dictates to local authorities the best method of organic waste collections. It is up to councils to decide if they wish to run a separate collection scheme for organic waste.

The Government Review of Waste Policies in England 2011 is available here: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/06/14/pb13540-waste-review/

The Government’s AD Strategy and Action Plan is available here: www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/06/14/pb13541-anaerobic-digestion-strategy/

Comments are closed.