LARAC has welcomed the focus on having consistent materials collected with the recent launch of the WRAP led Consistency project. LARAC supports the concept of consistency in materials collected that then leaves local authorities free to implement the most appropriate collection scheme for their area. LARAC believes that the fact that the work has brought forward at least three different main collection systems puts to bed the long peddled myth that there is one collection system that all councils should adopt.
Andrew Bird, Chair LARAC, who was part of the WRAP working group on the consistency work, said “right from the start it became clear that the best way to achieve any sort of consistency across the UK was to focus on the materials that were collected and not the method used to collect them. In terms of the UK achieving higher levels of recycling it makes sense that food waste is one of the materials that forms part of what a high achieving system might look like. By focusing on the materials it has meant the work was truly cross industry and this sort of cross industry working is something LARAC has called for recently on several occasions if we are to take things forward in a productive manner.”
LARAC continues to be involved in the ongoing work and various working groups that are now taking the next stages of work on consistency forward. LARAC points out that for progress to be made quickly it will require funding that councils do not have and point towards the financial support the devolved governments have provided to local authorities to implement new services.
LARAC supports the outcome that gives councils flexibility in how services are designed and delivered in their area, a key tenant in the concept of localism. LARAC now wants to see the industry supporting local authorities to increase the range of materials they collect and end the calls for one collection scheme, which this work has shown is not a practical or viable option.
