14 Jun 2011
Defras waste policy review lacks firm obligations
Following Defra's recent publication of The Government Review of Waste Policies in England 2011 (available here), Rosemary Choueka, head of City law firm Lawrence Graham's EU, Competition and Regulation practice, commented:
"This review is the culmination of a year's work of analysis of waste policies in England. It has been criticised as an embarrassing turnaround for the coalition Government as it does not contain any requirement on local councils to return to weekly rubbish collections, a pre-election pledge by the Tories.
"But the real pity is that the review contains very few commitments of any kind - other than calling time on the landfill allowance trading scheme, the review reads more like a 'to-do' list for the future than a statement of the Government's waste policy.
"There are well-intentioned overriding principles - such as moving towards a zero waste economy - as well as planned consultations and statements of support for initiatives. But there are virtually no hard and fast rules, targets or obligations which can be used to measure the country's progress in reducing waste and increasing reuse and recycling.
"It remains to be seen whether the review has any real effect on waste law and practice in England, or whether it is simply a statement of the coalition Government's views on this increasingly important topic.
"It will be interesting to see how Defra can raise the money needed for the required infrastructure and involve local communities, in what is an important and emotive subject, in positive and productive discussion."