MEMORANDUM BY CORNWALL COUNTY COUNCIL
(DSW 53)
I am writing on behalf of the Cornwall's Integrated
Waste Management Joint Working Group which comprises Cornwall
County Council and the six district councils namely, Penwith DC,
Kerrier DC, Carrick DC, Restormel BC, Caradon DC and North Cornwall
DC.
The Group was established as an extension to
an already existing group, with the specific objective of addressing
the requirements of Waste Strategy 2000. In addition Cornwall
County Council at the end of 1999 commissioned consultants AEA
Technology Ltd to carry out a BPEO for the County's MSW stream.
It was intended that the findings would form the basis for an
integrated waste strategy for the County.
The main concerns that the Group have regarding
Waste Strategy 2000 are:
— The tensions between the BPEO and
the targets (some of which are statutory) contained in Strategy
2000.
— The doubt concerning industry's capacity
for processing recyclables, particularly in light of requirement
for recycling levels to at least double over the next three to
four years.
— The inherent problems associated
with achieving waste minimisation (avoidance), and in fact, measuring
the effects of campaigns and initiatives. The Group considers
that the Government should take the lead in the educational aspects.
— Uncertainties with the definition
of household waste and the fact that targets in Strategy 2000
move between household waste and MSW.
— Because recycling targets are based
on a weight measure local authorities will naturally target heavy
materials. However, items which comprise a relatively small proportion
of the waste stream may have greater potential for detrimental
environmental impacts.
The Group is also disappointed that, unlike
with former consultative waste documents, a template/questionnaire
designed to address specific issues was not issued by the DETR.
However, the Group is gratified to see that
the Strategy does promote the principle of an integrated approach
to waste management, recognising that each element in the waste
hierarchy has a contribution to make.
September 2000
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