15Nov

Defra’s policy vacuum ‘could jeopardise’ EU targets

Posted on 15th November, 2014

Defra’s step back from implementing any new policies around waste and recycling could jeopardise progress towards the 50% by 2020 EU recycling targets, MPs have warned.

HousesofParliament

The warning came in a report on waste management in England, compiled by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, which took evidence from the waste industry, the Welsh Government and the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

In response to the report, the Department has come under fire from the waste management sector, local authorities and campaign groups including: the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC); the Environmental Services Association; Viridor; UK Without Incineration Network; and the Renewable Energy Association.

Many were in support of the recommendations made by the report, which included implementing a ban on sending any recyclable material to landfill by 2025 as well as finding ways to increase the amount of food waste that is diverted from landfill. Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) was also a particularly hot topic, with Viridor and the REA claiming it was beneficial to keep it in the UK rather than export it.