LEADING TRADE bodies across the waste management and recycling sectors in the UK have joined together to call for the government to set out policies to tackle waste and resource management.
A joint letter was sent by the six big organisations to all the major political parties in England pressing for focus to be on four key pillars that would tackle some of the biggest challenges caused by waste.
A joint statement from the six bodies that make up the Trade Association Group (TAG) – The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA), the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the Environmental Services Association (ESA), the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and Resource Association was sent earlier this week stating:
“The resource management industry makes a substantial contribution to the British economy. According to UKTI, the value of goods and services produced by the sector is over £12 billion a year, and it employs over 150,000 people.
“The industry is expected to continue to expand, with the Treasury forecasting growth of over 3% for waste management and 4% in recovery and recycling.
“As well as providing jobs and economic growth across the country, the industry supplies important raw materials for manufacturers in the UK and beyond, and helps to protect local communities from environmental blight.”
The proposals put forward for consideration are:
- Establish an Office for Resource Management, headed by a Minister, to lead and co-ordinate government policy on resource efficiency and waste prevention across departments.
- Expand the market for reused and recycled products and materials by reforming government procurement rules, putting appropriate economic incentives in place, and placing a sustained emphasis on public communication and engagement.
- Stimulate private investment in new waste treatment, recycling and reprocessing facilities by setting long term policy goals and targets – along the lines recently proposed by the EU – working with industry and stakeholders to develop methods to achieve them.
- Protect local communities, safeguard the environment, and reduce tax evasion by ensuring that enforcement bodies and local authorities are properly resourced to combat waste crime.
Footprint, the corporate sustainability champion, has longed called for industry collaboration to tackle the issues of waste, which remains a huge problem in the hospitality sector.
Food waste is especially prevalent, and the industry was earlier this year named and shamed as a major contributor to the problem.
Footprint believes there is an opportunity not only to tackle the challenge for the good of all but also that it presents huge opportunity for cost saving and new revenue streams across a number of industries.
