Archived press release

Friends of the earth rubbishes Government on waste

6 May 2003

The Government's response to a review of its waste strategy has been a complete waste of time Friends of the Earth said today.

The Government's waste strategy was reviewed by the Number 10 Strategy Unit, which published its recommendations in a report, `Waste Not, Want not', in November 2002. Although the Government appears to accept the scale of the problem, its plan of action falls woefully short of what is needed. The Government has:

Failed to increase national recycling and composting targets. The Strategy Unit report recommended a target of 45 per cent recycling by 2015. The current target is 30 per cent of domestic waste to be recycled by 2010 and 33 per cent by 2015. The Government has not increased the target, though it says it will review it in 2004. Friends of the Earth is calling for 50 per cent to be recycled by 2010 (Austria already recycles two thirds of its domestic waste). Fifty per cent recycling by 2010 is also the target for Joan Ruddock's Municipal Waste Recycling Bill which has reached the Committee Stage in the House of Commons. It has been supported by two thirds of MPs.

Done little to discourage incineration. The Strategy Unit recommended that the Government should consider a ban on incinerating and landfilling recyclable products. But the Government has effectively kicked this proposal in to the long grass saying it will consider the case for such a ban in 2006/2007. It will also produce a report on the health and environmental effects of different waste management options in relation to each other.

Failed to guarantee doorstep recycling for every home. The Strategy Unit said "the Government should aim to boost recycling and re-use of products by funding the roll-out of kerbside recycling to all homes.." (Strategy Unit press release, 27 November 2002). In its response the Government merely talks about a Kerbside Task Force to provide "advice to local authorities on kerbside collection infrastructure". In contrast the Scottish Labour Party promised doorstep recycling to every home in its recent manifesto.

Not made any new money available to help boost recycling. The Government wants to consult further on how to spend the extra revenue generated by increasing landfill tax.

Called for voluntary agreements on recycling batteries and hazardous waste. Voluntary agreements have failed on packaging (regulations finally had to be brought in) and tyres.

Has ruled out a national tax on household waste, and put off a decision on allowing local authorities to introduce variable charges for waste. Friends of the Earth supports variable charging but only once households have doorstep recycling.

Friends of the Earth's Waste Campaigner Claire Wilton said:

"This review of Government waste strategy has been a complete waste of time. The Government knows the scale of our waste crisis but has refused to take the tough action so desperately needed to tackle it. As a result Britain will continue to languish in the bottom half of the European recycling league whilst valuable resources are either burnt or buried in huge holes in the ground."

Friends of the Earth is urging the Government to support Joan Ruddock's Municipal Waste Recycling Bill which is currently passing through Parliament.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust