I’ve mentioned it a few times over my last few blogs, but levels of engagement seem to have really ramped up over the last year. Perhaps the most obvious example of this has been the Change Network events, with DEFRA and DESNZ leading two-way discussions on the impact of various policies including the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Simpler Recycling, and other parts of the various reforms.
The Change Networks have taken us across England to Durham, Leeds, Burton-on-Trent, Wealden, Taunton, Kensington and Peterborough. Around 250 local authority representatives have attended these meetings and provided valuable insight and input directly to the regulators to help inform policy decisions going forward.
Not in isolation, but it’s great to see that this engagement has helped inform government when it came to its decision to delay mandating plastic films and flexible collection for recycling from households and business in England to 2030. With extremely limited solutions post-collection, the freedom to implement as solutions come online over the next three years provides much needed breathing space and will be extremely welcome for the majority of local authorities across England.
So, what’s next? Well, films and flexibles remain very high up the agenda for most, particularly in Scotland and Wales (side note - any news on Rethinking Resources for Northern Ireland, DAERA???) where the planned implementation remains March 2027, and we will continue to work with members, regulators, recyclers and producers to understand how the next few years can be best used. We also have the challenge of microfirms coming within scope of Simpler Recycling next year, and discussions are ongoing about how this will work from engagement to enforcement, from the most rural to urban areas.
For those who may have missed it, DEFRA has also provided an interim update on Digital Waste Tracking ahead of Phase 1 beginning in October. Local authorities are still currently unable to register directly, but this is expected to change soon.
Concerns about the impact of DRS have also been raised by several members. We are currently welcoming any information or data that members may have on in-scope material of DRS, particularly in residual or litter, and what impact the scheme could have when it goes live. Similarly, we will be having a discussion with Welsh members in August on the national scheme for Wales and the challenges the inclusion of glass will create. If you would like to engage as part of either, or both, please let us know at admin@larac.org.uk.
For me, the events seem to have stopped until RWM in September (come see us at the LARAC Lounge!) and the summer now presents a good opportunity to focus and ensure we are prepared for the next wave of policy changes and what can be done to better understand and mitigate the impacts.
Now, if we could only have some rain…
