LARAC is watching with interest as the European Parliament and Commission bats the proposed circular economy measures around. The Circular Economy package original included proposals for 70% recycling targets. LARAC supports a move to greater recycling but would prefer to see future targets based on residual waste to help encourage reuse and waste minimisation. LARAC is hopeful that the UK Government will work to ensure that new proposals do come through and form part of the EU work in the next parliament. Andrew Bird, Chair LARAC said, ‘we must remember that local authorities in Wales and Scotland are already aiming for 70% recycling so these targets in some respects are not ground-breaking. However, reaching those sorts of levels will be difficult without having a new conversation about the funding of local authority waste services and finding a way that ensures all residents are fully on board with high recycling’.
LARAC believes that more needs to be done to ensure the reprocessing infrastructure is fit for purpose in the UK if higher recycling levels are to be reached. LARAC is concerned that there have been recent plant closures at a time when others in the industry are urging local authorities to collect yet more material whilst maintaining quality levels.
