Government figures have predicted continuing growth in the waste management sector over the next few years.

Officials predict short term growth of 3.0% for waste management sales and 3.9% for recovery and recycling for the remainder of the 2012-13 financial year. Additionally, growth is expected in the waste and recycling sectors beyond this into 2013-14.

These figures were revealed by environment minister Richard Benyon in Parliament in December. Mr Benyon was responding to a parliamentary written question from Shadow Environment Minister, Gavin Shuker, about likely growth levels in the waste management and recycling sector.

Mr Benyon said: “Britain’s waste and recycling sector was valued at over £12 billion in 2010-11, employing between 140,000-150,000 people. For 2012-13, short-term growth figures are forecast as waste management growth in sales of 3.0% and recovery and recycling of 3.9%. Growth figures for 2013/14 for these two sectors are forecast as 3.1% and 4.0% respectively.”

He added, “The 2011 Review of Waste Policy in England sets us on the path towards a zero-waste economy where materials are valued and nothing of value is discarded. It will support the sector’s transition from focusing on disposal to landfill to greater reuse, recycling and recovery of waste material.”