MEMORANDUM BY THE CONSORTIUM OF ESSEX
WASTE COLLECTION AUTHORITIES (DSW 79)
A crucial aspect of waste policy for the UK
is to achieve a fundamental change in the management of household
waste, which for too long has continued to be dominated by a disposal
led philosophy.
The waste collection authorities of Essex identified
the need for a fundamental rethink nearly two years ago. As a
result the authorities jointly commissioned the development of
an ambitious but realistic plan of action. This seeks to achieve
a shift from a household waste economy based on landfill of bulked
waste to one where materials are source separated and returned
to the economy. The plan entitled "From Disposal to Diversion"
sets out ambitious targets for the recycling of materials from
household waste. The achievement of these would I believe meet
the UK's obligations under the Landfill Directive in respect of
this area without the need for energy from waste.
The authorities of Essex have moved forward
from this plan to work on detailed implementation plans which
are fully costed. This detailed work has led to a number of key
outcomes:
1. The achievement of high levels of
diversion to recycling and composting is technically achievable
at cost levels which in the long run are competitive with other
solutions, including in particular energy from waste.
2. There is public support for this
type of approach which is not the case for other approaches to
change.
3. Markets for good quality source
separated material can be expanded and enhanced by action at the
national and local levels. The authorities of Essex have already
set up a major market development programme, Remade Essex.
4. Achieving the fundamental change
will inevitably require initial investment which local authorities
are struggling to make within their existing resources.
The most important conclusion to flow form these
outcomes is that technical difficulty, the availability or otherwise
of stable markets and the degree of public support (whilst key
issues) are not the reasons for the slow progress on recycling
made to date by UK local authorities. The actual reason is clear—a
basic lack of adequate investment.
I believe the acceptance of this point and a
clear decision to remedy the situation is vital to moving forward.
Here in Essex we will achieve fundamental change given the resources
to invest for the achievement of a better future.
September 2000
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