LARAC has responded to a recent BBC article highlighting concern around Energy from Waste (EfW) and the broader implications for local authorities in managing household waste. The article describes councils as overly reliant on incineration without addressing the systemic challenges they face regarding waste and recycling services in the UK.
UK local authorities are legally obligated to collect the materials that residents present. Up and down the UK, local authorities strive to improve recycling rates and reduce reliance on landfill and incineration, but they are left with no alternatives outside these disposal routes. For councils, especially those in England and Northern Ireland, enforcement powers are totally lacking or limited, meaning there is little they can do to change resident behaviours around the use of collection services. Local authorities provide excellent cost-effective services to enable residents and businesses to recycle a wide range of materials. However, the use of these service is limited by the level of engagement by the resident or customer.
EfW may not be the ideal solution, but it is often the only viable option alongside landfill, for waste streams like absorbent hygiene products (AHP) where there are currently no feasible, circular alternatives. Landfill remains one of the least environmentally favourable options, yet without adequate recycling infrastructure and investment in alternative waste solutions, this means councils are often forced to use incineration as a necessary alternative that at least generates energy.
Cathy Cook, LARAC Chair said:
“The BBC article failed to mention the role of citizens in reducing waste or the importance of circular economy initiatives. Local authorities can only do so much without collaboration and responsibility shared by households. Moreover, the current lack of solid producer responsibility frameworks means local authorities are left to manage high volumes of unrecyclable material. An effective Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system would ensure that producers bear the cost of managing the end-of-life disposal of their products, especially for problematic materials such as plastics.”
LARAC also stresses the importance of the Collection and Packaging Reforms (CPR) and the need for these policies to be swiftly implemented. Ensuring local authorities have the flexibility and resources to adapt to new collection requirements is crucial to moving towards a more circular economy.
To address the systemic issues at play, LARAC reiterates its call to DEFRA and the UK Government to take urgent action:
- DEFRA must actively communicate with local authorities regarding the rollout of CPR, ensuring that expectations are clear, and councils are given the resources and flexibility they need.
- Without significant investment in infrastructure to boost recycling and reuse options, councils will continue to have limited possibilities between incineration and landfill.
- Local authorities, particularly in England and Northern Ireland, need stronger powers to enforce proper waste segregation and disposal practices among residents, which would improve the composition of waste collected and lead to more plastics being recycled.
- The introduction of EPR should extend beyond packaging materials, ensuring that producers are held responsible for all types of waste they place on the market, reducing the burden on councils. LARAC urgently calls for EPR for textiles and WEEE.
LARAC urges the media and policymakers to consider the broader context in which local authorities operate. Criticising councils without acknowledging the lack of policy, investment, lack of enforcement powers and the limited alternative options available is counterproductive. Local authorities remain committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling but need the appropriate tools, policies, engagement with citizens through national communication campaigns, as well as government and private sector support to achieve these goals.
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For further information please contact Toni McNamara, Executive Director, LARAC, on 01982 382 650 / admin@larac.org.uk
Twitter: @LARACspeaks
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