LARAC believes that the small increase in recycling figures revealed by DEFRA shows the reality of Government funding cuts to local authorities. With a 37% cut in government funding to councils between 2010/11 and 2015/16 it is inevitable that services will start to suffer and local authorities have no choice but to make these tough decisions to reduce services. LARAC states that the figures should not detract from the hard work that local authority waste managers are putting in or their willingness to achieve higher recycling levels
Andrew Bird, Chair LARAC, said "We must not forget the threefold increase in rates since 2000 which is due to the hard work of local authorities. The current slowdown in recycling rates across England is disappointing but not unexpected, given the policy vacuum and the drastic funding cuts councils have had to contend with; which those outside of local authorities should not underestimate. Without new funding streams coming through councils will still be forced to weigh up the need for expanded waste services against education, social services and health and wellbeing needs."
LARAC points out that the rates in Wales are on the up as a result of clear national policy that is backed up with a range of support and funding programmes, something that is also happening in Scotland. LARAC also suggested that the latest recycling rates should act as a spur for all parts of the industry to work closer together and to see how funds from Producer Responsibility legislation can be used to enhance and support the recovery of items in the household collections systems.
For further information please contact Andrew Bird, Chair LARAC, on 01782 742 510.
Twitter: @LARACspeaks
