Waste proposals are 'tame beast'

By John Andrew
BBC News

Proposals to cut waste, which could hit people in the pocket for failing to recycle household rubbish, have been unveiled.

However, the government's Waste Strategy may not go far enough for some environmental groups.

The government is taking a cautious approach to waste reform

For such a long-awaited strategy, many will regard Thursday's paper as something of a tame beast.

As expected, the government has tipped its toe in the water over "pay as you throw", embarking on a three-month consultation before any legislation.

But, with a new prime minister about to be installed, and a determination to avoid any suggestion of new taxes, it's preferred to call it an "incentive scheme", even though it would clearly mean that bad recyclers will pay more than good ones.

The recent furore over fortnightly collections also makes this a difficult time to start talking about extra charges.

Make no mistake about it, though, ministers have seen how variable charging drives up recycling rates in other parts of Europe - and are impressed.

Incineration alternative

In parts of Belgium, for instance, they're managing to recycle 70% of their domestic waste - nearly three times the level we achieve in England and exceeding even the new target for councils here of 50% by 2020.

Belgium's been tougher on landfill too, banning its use altogether for domestic waste though allowing time for some areas to adapt.

Here, the government's taking a more cautious approach. In the new strategy it talks about consulting on banning biodegradable and recyclable waste from going into landfill.

However much we recycle there will always be residual waste that needs to be dealt with and if it's not landfill, incineration is an alternative.

Voluntary agreement

At the moment, about 10% of our municipal waste is incinerated, and the government believes that will need to increase to a quarter by 2020.

State of the art incinerators produce far less harmful emissions than their predecessors, but no one wants to live near them. Expect some planning battles ahead.

Environmental groups will also be disappointed about the approach to reducing packaging and the scourge of supermarket plastic bags.

While councils are set new targets - and face hefty fines if they don't comply - the pressure on producers and retailers is only by voluntary agreement.

The government, though, is to lobby the EU on increasing the penalties for manufacturers who use excess packaging.