The last few years have seen crisis and uncertainty on both a national and international scale that many of us haven’t seen in our lifetime. As a result, and perhaps understandably, the implementation of the Resources and Waste Strategy has suffered delays.
One of the core reasons for the lack of movement is the significant delays to the consultation responses – almost three years for consistent collections. This means that many of the measures aimed at making the UK a global leader in environmental reform have suffered from lethargic Government action and what would appear to be a lack of desire to push these reforms through ahead of the next election.
After years of waiting, the Government recently evolved consistent collections – wrongly dubbed the ‘seven bins policy’ – into Simpler Recycling. Despite this renewed energy from Government towards the Resources and Waste Strategy, and the new guidance and timescales announced, the details are incomplete. With a further consultation launched on the new guidance, and an election around the corner, there is a way to go before a fully reformed system is rolled out across England.
During its Party Conference in Liverpool at the start of October, both Shadow Environment Secretary and Shadow Waste Minister, made positive remarks about progressing with the Strategy – with Steve Reed stating that “if [the Resources and Waste Strategy] is an easy win, let’s have it”. The Shadow Environment Secretary also indicated that it would look to the work done by Wales’ Labour administration – where 65% of waste from households is recycled, compared to 44% in England – to guide its policies.
Understanding the priorities and attitudes of a new Government is important. Despite the comments by Steve Reed and Ruth Jones, there is currently limited information on Labour’s position on waste and resource issues. They will want to demonstrate action, and Labour MPs are likely to be more interventionist on reducing waste.
The environment may not be the biggest issue at the next election, but it will certainly be up there. Polling firm YouGov tracks the public’s views on key issues, and it puts the environment fourth overall (third among Labour voters). The key divider will be whose approach lands best with the public – caution from the Conservatives about net zero not costing consumers more and impacting the public finances, or Labour positioning it as an economic driver and job creator.
Whatever the outcome of the next election, there will be on onus on all of us in the sector and beyond to deliver these reforms so we can drive up our recycling rate and realise our circular economy ambitions.
