The Waste Review is likely to be published in the coming weeks. Below, PPS Group’s head of waste & resources, Rebecca Eatwell discusses what she expects the review to contain.
One of the main issues for the industry remains planning and I would hope to see the review tackling this. It will be interesting to see whether there is any joined up thinking between the Government’s Localism agenda, which many fear will make the delivery of new waste infrastructure even more difficult. Recent support for energy from waste (EfW) from DEFRA Minister Richard Benyon, who said “Incinerators…are a very important part of how we deal with waste”, suggests we may see a stronger line on more controversial technologies – something which the industry has been calling for.
Given that we know an anaerobic digestion (AD) strategy is due to be published at the same time as the review we can assume that the Government’s promotion of AD will continue to gain pace. I would expect this to lead to an increased focus on food waste collections, with the possibility of funding for weekly collections already being trailed in the press. The challenge for the industry will be delivering new AD facilities, which experience shows have the potential to generate local opposition, despite support from the centre.
Further attention on waste prevention and recycling are also inevitable, particularly looking at how SME’s can up their game in this area.
Whatever the review does include, the Government has pointed out that it is just a review and not a strategy. We will have to wait a little longer for that…
Written by Adam Browning
I anticipate that the new advise will have to recognise the very significant impact that the Localism Bill will have on galvanising public opinion – one way or the other!. I would suggest that well structured Planning Performance Agreements will almost certainly become the choice vehicle for delivery in such cases. The greater degree of transparency,, pre application public engagement and in particular the potential for joint appointments of specialist consultants with the LPA has significant benefits to all parties. Until developers are made more aware of this option (and advised to pursue this route by such consultants as PPS!) then they will continue to be hampered by the adversarial decision making process still evident in the Development Control method of decision making. Both developers and LPAs need to fully adopt the Development Management Model rather than just pay lip service to it. Those few developers (and consultants! ) who have made this “leap in faith” towards the truly investigative cost benefit analysis of their schemes that a PPA/DMM allows, are already reaping the rewards. Cautious investors in particular are swayed by the greater degree of certainty that a PPA allows in applying their risk assessments to all MIP schemes.
Viridor Response to UK Government English Waste Policy Review – Keep Sector Jobs and Investment Opportunities in UK.
Viridor today broadly welcomed the Government’s waste policy review, whilst raising waste exports as an issue of growing importance.
Chief Executive Colin Drummond said:
“Viridor is pleased that the waste policy review indicates a clear and consistent, yet ‘light touch’, approach, acknowledging that the current main drivers are proving effective. We welcome the renewed focus on recycling and recovery of commercial wastes.
“The UK has made good progress towards higher levels of recycling, recovery and resource efficiency over the last decade, and we need to keep this momentum going. Landfills bans are likely to be an unnecessary distraction.
“Continued improvement of cost-effective and convenient recycling services, greater utilisation of waste as fuel for renewable energy production and tight environmental protection standards, especially targeting illegal disposal and activity; these are the common-sense principles that will help more UK households and businesses to continue recycling more and wasting less.
“Our sector offers real potential for green growth. The jobs and investment that will come from more essential recycling and energy from waste infrastructure, alongside the environmental benefits these provide, can make a real contribution to the ‘green economy’ in the coming years.
“We are however disappointed that the policy review missed an opportunity to address the issue of the recent practice of exporting residual waste. Investors need regulatory certainty if they are to continue to invest in UK waste treatment infrastructure. We need to break down the barriers to getting adequate levels of infrastructure in the UK in order to address this practice, otherwise we risk losing UK job and investment opportunities. Why export a largely renewable fuel source, only to import fossil fuels and power? We hope the Government and industry will take practical steps to address this.”