Archived press release

Let the public have a say on waste

21 March 2003

Friends of the Earth today cautiously welcomed the launch of a draft Regional Waste Management Strategy, which is published by the South East England Regional Assembly on Monday 24th March [1]. But it called on the Assembly to ensure genuine widespread public consultation on the document, which will determine the future of incineration and recycling in the region [2].

The environmental campaign group wants the Assembly to set more ambitious recycling targets and rule out incineration in the region. Friends of the Earth's national waste campaigner, Anna Watson, will tell the region that it must take a lead in calling for improved recycling and reduced waste.

Friends of the Earth wants to see 50 per cent of municipal waste recycled or composted by 2010 and is supporting the Municipal Waste Recycling Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. The Bill, which has cross-party support, calls for a statutory target of 50 per cent of municipal waste to be recycled or composted by 2010. The current draft Regional Waste Management Strategy sets a target of 35 per cent by 2010. Friends of the Earth believes that the 50 per cent target can be achieved [2].

But proposals in the draft strategy to consider incineration have been criticised by Friends of the Earth. Incinerators are unpopular with communities in the region, who have fought numerous battles against their development [3]. Friends of the Earth opposes incineration as it undermines recycling and composting. The Government's Strategy Unit report said incineration was "politically undeliverable". Friends of the Earth is calling on the Regional Assembly to provide strong guidance to local authorities by calling for a moratorium on incinerators.

Friends of the Earth Regional Campaigns Coordinator Brenda Pollack said:

"We want the South East region to lead the way in showing how to make best use of scarce resources by setting ambitious policies for the 21^st Century. The key to solving waste problems lies in high quality recycling and composting schemes. Those councils locking themselves into contracts which mainly aim to burn waste will find that this is not politically acceptable. This Regional Strategy needs to set the trend and help councils across the region to deliver better solutions by seeing waste as a resource."

Friends of the Earth national waste campaigner Anna Watson said:

"The South East does have a huge problem with waste and this strategy attempts to deal with it in a sustainable way. But the region will need higher recycling targets and a clear strategy for reducing waste to prevent a rash of incinerators across the region. The Assembly must be a lot stronger in leading the way on good practice and clearly put a stop to new incinerator plans."

Notes

[1] Launch at Oxford Town Hall 10.30 - 1pm on Monday 24^th March 2003, details available from SEERA Press Officer, 01483 555221

[2] The Assembly is not planning to widely publicise the strategy to communities across the South East. The launch in Oxford is the only opportunity the public have of finding out more about the strategy other than it being placed on the Assembly's website.

[3] Maximising Recycling Rates: tackling residuals: www.crn.org.uk/publications/research/main.shtml

[4] Communities have fought incinerator proposals in Surrey: Guildford, Capel, Redhill; Kent: Richborough, Ridham Dock, Canterbury, Allington; Sussex: Newhaven, Mountfield, Horsham Hampshire: Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Berkshire: Colnbrook, and Milton Keynes,

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust