Government launches review of waste strategy1 February 2006
The Government has launched a draft review of the England waste strategy for consultation. This proposes an increase in recycling targets to 50% by 2020 but also a massive increase in incineration.
England currently recycles or composts 23% of its household waste, compared to:
- 53% in Germany
- 59% in the Netherlands
- 70% in Flanders, Belgium
Friends of the Earth wants to see ambitious new national recycling targets of at least 50% by 2010 and 75% by 2015.
Some English local authorities - like St Edmundsbury in Suffolk - already recycle or compost around half their household waste.
England currently has 16 incinerators. These burn 9% of our municipal waste. The Government is planning to increase incineration to 25%. At least 22 new incinerators are proposed at present.
Incinerators are extremely:
- Damaging for recycling
- they require long term contracts and a minimum of waste - Wasteful of resources and energy
- that could be saved through recycling - Hazardous
- by generating tiny, breathable ash
Incinerators are not a solution to Britain's waste problem, nor are they a solution to climate change. Green energy claims by the industry are a myth - recycling saves more energy than can be created by burning waste.
Dr Michael Warhurst, Waste campaigner - Friends of the Earth
The Government should tackle our waste crisis by reducing the amount we create and by recycling a lot more.
Friends of the Earth says
Greener product design should be encouraged to eliminate waste and make products more recyclable.
The waste remaining after recycling and composting should be processed, to reduce the volume of waste and avoid greenhouse gas emissions, and then landfilled.
Resources
England's waste strategy: a guide to the current consultation (PDF† format - 84K) April 2006
This briefing outlines the policies Friends of the Earth wants the Government to include in the new England waste strategy.
Up in smoke (PDF† format - 164K) Jan 2006
This briefing looks at the reasons why Friends of the Earth opposes incineration
From waste to resource (PDF† format - 358K) June 2005
This statement provides a number of policy recommendations for the Government during the review of Waste Strategy 2000.
Government waste strategy is missed opportunity
14th Feb 2006
Press release outlining Friends of the Earth's concerns and recommendations on the draft waste strategy
Friends of the Earth slams Government love affair with incinerators 14th Feb 2006
Press release highlighting concerns over the planned increase in incineration
© Jenny Bates/ Friends of the Earth
