MEMORANDUM BY NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE
COUNCIL (DSW 02)
The legislative changes that have been introduced
over the last few years are clearly designed to achieve the primary
strands of improved waste management strategy eg minimisation,
increased recycling, composting and reduced landfill of waste.
Whilst these changes will create the necessary improvements/changes
to a degree, we feel that government policy reviews in the following
areas will serve to highlight the need for change in the minds
of the public and accelerate the process of an improved and more
responsible public attitude to household waste disposal.
— A series of national government media
releases which are designed to promote awareness of policy changes
and the probable impacts of local government initiatives for Waste
Management, possibly as an expansion of the "Are you doing
your bit?" campaign.
— Government regulation making it mandatory
for the public to co-operate with local authorities' recycling
plans and other initiatives for waste management.
— Direct government financial incentives
for the re-processing of recycled materials by industry.
— Introduction of a specific new part
of the education curriculum to deal with green issues, to increase
awareness.
— Accelerate the introduction of end-of-life
regulations so that they create a value for all manufactured products,
once they have come to the point of their disposal, thus creating
a market for their re-use.
— Review the effectiveness of the Waste
Packaging Regulations in order to ensure that the financial levers
resulting from this application benefit collections of packaging
materials as well as re-processors. Perhaps PRN monies should
be geared to provide the greatest benefit where there is demonstrable
increased recycling activity. Again, some form of tax incentive
to encourage its return for recycling to manufacturers would achieve
this; and
— The "proximity" principal
should be applied when setting recycling targets for local authorities,
in that those LAs closest to the re-processors should be set the
higher targets to minimise unnecessary transportation.
Finally, we are encouraged by the government's
intention to provide more funding to local authorities (via their
SSA) to assist in the development of waste management proposals.
If this funding was in some way structured to reflect support
to those authorities who were demonstrably increasing their investment
in improved waste management it would be helpful.
Robert Smith
Director of Works
September 2000
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