Waste: National Policy update & Implications May 2019 Serving the people of Cumbria
Current Position – Waste Policy • 25 Year Environment Plan (2018) • EU Circular Economy • Resource & Waste Strategy (Dec 2018) • Key Consultations linked to the Strategy (closed May 2019) Serving the people of Cumbria
EU Circular Economy Package (CEP) • Legally binding’ recycling targets: – 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030, 65% by 2035 • By 2023 - 'bio-waste' (including food) to be collected separately or home composted • By 2025 - separate collection of textiles from households Serving the people of Cumbria
Resources & Waste Strategy (2018) Objectives: • Maximise Value of Resources • Minimise Waste and its impact on the environment • Supports EU Circular Economy Package & 25 Year Environment Plan Serving the people of Cumbria
Resources & Waste Strategy (RWS) • Targeted approach to Packaging • Packaging Regulation reforms • Consistent set of recyclable materials • Consistent labelling • Weekly collections of food waste • Compulsory tracking of all waste Serving the people of Cumbria
Pre RWS Consultation: Single-Use Plastic Bag Charge • Consultation ran from Dec 2018 – 22 Feb 2019 • Increase to 10p per single use plastic bag (expected from Jan 2020) • Proposal to extend to smaller businesses Serving the people of Cumbria
RWS - Consultations 2019 Four Consultations: 1.Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) 2.Consistency in Collections 3.Deposit Return Systems (DRS) 4.Plastic Packaging Tax (PTT) Further Consultations expected later in 2019 Serving the people of Cumbria
1. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) • ‘Polluter Pays’ principle • Currently producers pay only 10% of this cost • Incentivise producers to use less packaging and focus on the recyclability/Quality of the material • Further EPR schemes for harder or more costly to recycle items • Improved EPR schemes for cars, electrical goods and batteries Serving the people of Cumbria
CCC Response to EPR proposals • Polluter pays principle welcomed • Suggested replacement of Recycling Credits scheme with EPR-linked incentivisation for LAs • Concerns over costs involved for LAs • Effect of changes on long term waste contract • Drive for improved communications and data collection support welcomed Serving the people of Cumbria
2. Consistency • Consistent recycling collections to improve quantity and quality of recycled municipal waste • Same set of core dry materials nationally • Separate weekly food waste collection • Proposed free garden waste collection service • Options around introducing statutory guidance on minimum service standards & non-binding PIs • How to support joint working between authorities Serving the people of Cumbria
CCC Response - Consistency proposals • Agree with this approach • Concerns over current lack of end markets for materials • Clarity on how additional resource will be made available - replace the existing Recycling Credits? • Food waste collection would impact the residual waste (and the long term waste contract) • Free garden waste could result in increased total amount of waste arisings (therefore increased recycling credits paid out) • Suggest charging for subsequent garden waste bins (after first free bin) • Performance Indicators should not be ‘non - binding’ • Welcome greater partnership working – issues need addressing Serving the people of Cumbria
3. Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) • DRS for drinks containers (cans, plastic, bottles and glass bottles). • Consumer pays an upfront deposit included in the product price and must return the container to a DRS point to redeem the deposit • Two options “On -the- Go” (single containers less than 750ml) or “All -in- One” (targets larger amount, irrespective of size). Serving the people of Cumbria
CCC Response to DRS proposals • A DRS scheme would add significant cost and potential overlap with EPR • Geographical challenges (remote areas in Cumbria) - could be problematic • Recommended putting DRS scheme on hold until EPR is established and then review Serving the people of Cumbria
4. Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) • UK tax on plastic packaging - first in the world • Tax on products with less than 30% recycled material from 2022 • Introduce as part of the EPR reforms • Stimulate end markets • Promote better design of packaging Serving the people of Cumbria
CCC Response to PPT • Questions in the Consultation on defining scope of the tax, the threshold and how the tax will be managed • Technical nature and mainly aimed at the commercial waste industry • Council supports the basic principle of the tax Serving the people of Cumbria
Key Areas for Consideration Implications/opportunities: • Impact on the current Waste Contract - separate weekly food waste collections by 2023 and proposal on free garden waste collections • Recycling Credit replacement with funding • Market capacity • Potential changes to how recyclable material is kerbside presented/collected • Effect of a DRS on material volume/income • Pressure to enhance two-tier working Serving the people of Cumbria
RWS Targets • Small WEEE – consult by 2021 • Plastics – Packaging tax – 2022 • EPR Reforms - 2023 • Food Waste - 2023 • Textiles – 2025 • Garden Waste – free or not? • Littering/Fly tipping – FPN Serving the people of Cumbria
Summary • Summary of the key consultations and the Council responses • The implications and opportunities from the proposals set out in the Strategy • The opportunities for Scrutiny to influence the Strategy proposals going forward Serving the people of Cumbria
Next steps • Await initial consultation response outcomes from DEFRA • Further consultations later in the year • Continue to engage with a number of waste industry bodies – NAWDO & LARAC • Lobby for key points with Cumbria MPs Serving the people of Cumbria
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