The LGA local waste review “Wealth from waste” was launched today. Introducing the report, Councillor Mike Jones, Chairman of the LGA Environment and Housing Board, said “The simple fact is that taxpayers will be better off, the economy will benefit, and more people will have jobs if we grow our domestic market for collecting, sorting and reprocessing recycling. Landfilling waste costs a lot of money; burning it is still expensive; recycling actually brings in cash for the taxpayer and we owe it to today’s hard-pressed taxpayers to get as much of their money back as possible.
Following on in this vein Cllr Clyd Loakes, Vice-Chair of the LGA Environment and Housing Board saidin the accompanying LFGA press release “"There is clearly wealth in waste. The UK's waste and recycling sector is currently worth around £11 billion and growing at twice the rate of the rest of the economy, but there is so much more we could do to make the most of this booming industry. "Residents have played their part. By helping us recycle more and more every year they are helping councils save money on the cost of processing the bins, yet they are being punished, not rewarded, because of the crippling rate rises in landfill tax. "By freezing the landfill tax at its current rate and reinvesting the money through joint council and private sector waste projects, The Treasury could help us stimulate growth, create jobs and boost an important revenue stream for local authorities to limit the impact of budget cuts on local taxpayers and help us continue to deliver the services our residents rely on, from keeping libraries open to caring for the elderly."
The report can be found on the LGA website and is the result of evidence supplied by many bodies including LARAC and local authorities.
Joy Blizzard, Chair of LARAC comments: “I welcome today’s report; it clearly sets out the evidence regarding Local Authority recycling and reuse has an important role for providing jobs and building a better ecomony. There are some good, robust recommendations. But these will not be taken up unless noted by decision-makers so I would strongly urge that LARAC members bring this report to the attention of their portfolio holders.
