Archived press release

Government to back waste prevention bill

27 February 1997

A Private Members Bill enabling local authorities to promote waste prevention is to be given Government backing and should pass its Second Reading "on the nod" [1,2] on Friday 28 February, before passing to the Committee Stage. The Waste Prevention Bill - initiated by the Women's Environmental Network and supported by Friends of the Earth - is being introduced by Keighley MP Gary Waller (Conservative).

Local authorities are currently empowered to deal with waste once it has arisen - by recycling and other means - but not to prevent the waste being produced in the first place,even though Government policy prioritises waste prevention over recycling. The Waste Prevention Bill will allow local authorities to "make arrangements for reducing, preventing or avoiding the generation of "controlled waste"... within its area". Initiatives might include promoting bottle refill or nappy laundry services, awards for low waste restaurants/cafes and encouraging the public to refuse junk mail and telling them how they can stop it.

The UK produces 20 million tonnes of waste each year from households alone, nearly 15 million tonnes from shops and offices, and over 70 million tonnes from industry.

Ann Link, of Women's Environmental Network, said:
"The most effective way to deal with waste is prevention at source. If the Bill is passed local authorities will be able to encourage a wide range of less wasteful practices such as laundry services, which could provide local business opportunities as well as being more sustainable."

Dr Anna Thomas, Waste Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
"This Bill is an important step forward in tackling our throwaway society, and will hopefully be followed by tough Government targets to reduce waste. Instead of binning precious resources we should be trying to conserve them."

Gary Waller MP, sponsor of the Bill, said:
"The excellent response to an earlier version of this Bill, which I presented
under the ten minute rule on 23 July last year, encouraged me to present a new Bill which has received tremendous support from all quarters. Local
authorities have a vital job to do in cooperating with public and private bodies to cut out unnecessary waste and, in so doing, to move towards a more sustainable environment".

The Waste Prevention Bill has received the support of many organisations and individuals including 239 MPs, Waste Watch and the Institute of Waste Management.

Notes to Editors

[1] Environment Minister James Clappison MP wrote in a letter to Gary Waller MP [3 Feb 1997] that the Government is "keen to see local authorities, amongst others, promote waste prevention. The proposed Bill would clarify the powers they have to do so." The Bill is expected to pass to the Committee Stage without a vote being taken.

[2] The Waste Prevention Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday 17 February.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust