Waste Collection & Recycling
It has been revealed this week by the L.G.A. (Local Government Association) that Britain still throws away more waste than the rest of Europe. It is reported that in the past year the UK has thrown away 22.6 million tonnes of waste.
The UK is followed closely behind by Italy, Spain and France.
While significant strides have been made in an attempt to reduce the amount of non-recycled waste the new statistics are testament to the fact that enough is not being done to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill sites across the country.
Lee Skevington, Yeovil CLP Secretary commented :
"Local councils have an integral role to play in limiting the amount of waste sent to landfill. While in Yeovil proactive steps have been taken by the council in reducing waste, there quite frankly isn't enough that is being done to tackle the problem".
"If we're to be serious about recycling we need local government to be providing more pick up points for recyclable materials as well as collecting cardboard and plastic as they do in other local authorities. While it is tempting to place all of the burden on local people to recycle, enough isn't being done to encourage local business, both big and small, to go green. We all have a part to play in meeting recycling targets."
"It is inconvceivable to pass the total cost along to the common taxpayer as they are only responsible for a very minor amount of the total waste produced."
This report comes amidst government controversy over waste charging. However, the communities and local government select committee has this week commented that if waste charging is to be introduced then council tax must first be reduced.
Therefore, before local government can introduce any waste charging scheme they must first make reductions to the rate of council tax. There has, however, been talk of revoking section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act. Under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) no local authority may introduce direct charges for household waste-collection.
Anyone interested in reading the report of the select committee can find it here.
The UK is followed closely behind by Italy, Spain and France.
While significant strides have been made in an attempt to reduce the amount of non-recycled waste the new statistics are testament to the fact that enough is not being done to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill sites across the country.
Lee Skevington, Yeovil CLP Secretary commented :
"Local councils have an integral role to play in limiting the amount of waste sent to landfill. While in Yeovil proactive steps have been taken by the council in reducing waste, there quite frankly isn't enough that is being done to tackle the problem".
"If we're to be serious about recycling we need local government to be providing more pick up points for recyclable materials as well as collecting cardboard and plastic as they do in other local authorities. While it is tempting to place all of the burden on local people to recycle, enough isn't being done to encourage local business, both big and small, to go green. We all have a part to play in meeting recycling targets."
"It is inconvceivable to pass the total cost along to the common taxpayer as they are only responsible for a very minor amount of the total waste produced."
This report comes amidst government controversy over waste charging. However, the communities and local government select committee has this week commented that if waste charging is to be introduced then council tax must first be reduced.
Therefore, before local government can introduce any waste charging scheme they must first make reductions to the rate of council tax. There has, however, been talk of revoking section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act. Under section 45 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990) no local authority may introduce direct charges for household waste-collection.
Anyone interested in reading the report of the select committee can find it here.
posted by Lee Skevington at
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
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