Call to re-think waste targets
- Published: 20 August 2008 09:37
- Last Updated: 20 August 2008 09:37
The government should overhaul its waste targets for local authorities, a heavyweight committee of peers has concluded.
The House of Lords science and technology select committee's report on waste reduction argues that current weight-based targets and landfill allocations are hampering councils' efforts to tackle Britain's growing rubbish mountain.
"Targets for local authorities currently focus on decreasing the weight of domestic waste sent to landfill but a more holistic approach to waste reduction is required," said the committee.
But it criticised councils over what it describes as a "fragmented approach" to waste reduction, adding that it was "extremely important that local authorities co-ordinate the services they provide".
It also said a proportion of the landfill tax should be earmarked for improved recycling facilities and there should be greater efforts to encourage businesses to reduce the amount of waste generated.
Responding to the report, Paul Bettison, chair of the Local Government Association's environment board, said: "Businesses need to match the efforts local people have made in recent years to reduce this country's reliance on landfill.
"It is unfair for them to profit at the taxpayers' expense as councils are left to deal with the rubbish they create.
"Introducing a 'polluter pays' principle would help local authorities manage rising costs and act as an incentive for businesses to produce less waste," Cllr Bettison added.
