LARAC has voiced its concern about some aspects of the Welsh Government guidance on separate collections. LARAC states that the part of the guidance stating user preference ‘will not be a relevant consideration’ ignores local democracy and the operational issues local authorities face. Citing the recent 3R tracker report from WRAP, LARAC insists that with only 25% of people really getting recycling, despite the good work done by local authorities, residents views are part of the overall assessment into what systems delivers the right outcomes. LARAC believes that while its members are undertaking the required assessments, many using the Routemap LARAC helped to develop, the private waste collectors are less prepared for the change in January 2015 and have been less active in filling the policy void.
Andrew Bird, Chair LARAC, said “The fact the Welsh Government has issued this guidance when none has been forthcoming from England is to be welcomed and shows the good engagement they have with waste issues. However we are disappointed there is no mention of the Local Government Routemap in this guidance given how well that piece of work has been received by local authorities and regulators. We also believe that residents’ views do form a part of the assessment on collection systems and by ignoring them we could see reductions in quality of material collected.”
LARAC feels that despite the guidance being issued those affected by the Waste Framework directive requirements have been hindered by slow movement of policy makers and regulators. LARAC points out that until the outcome of the failed Judicial Review in 2013 was known there was no certainty for collectors to act upon. Then there was the promise of Government Guidance at UK level that never came, although LARAC has commended the approach and engagement of the Environment Agency as it designs the regulatory regime.
