An end to disposal What needs to be done locally, nationally, and at EU level, in order to phase out residual waste Dr Michael Warhurst, Friends of the Earth

Contents The resource challenge A vision of a different future The role of: –The European Union –National government –Local and regional government –The public and business Conclusions Current priority actions

The resource challenge Global consumption of resources is increasing rapidly –Fuelled by ever-increasing levels of consumption per capita in richer countries –And by a rapid rise in consumption in some very large poorer countries (China and India) This increase is having environmental and economic impacts –Climate change is receiving the most attention –But resource use has many other impacts, for example local pollution from mining, depletion of water supplies and pollution from industrial processes, including waste disposal –There is also an economic impact as prices of many resources increase

Waste policies to maximise resource efficiency The top of the waste hierarchy shows the way: Waste prevention - the best environmental option, avoiding resource use Reuse - reduces need for resources and manufacturing Recycling - reduces need for extraction and processing of new resources Composting - returns nutrients and structure to soils; displaces other fertilizers; sequesters carbon; and, in the case of anaerobic digestion, produces methane. Then we must phase out residual waste: Provision of effective recycling and composting schemes Re-design of materials to be recyclable or compostable –E.g. Supermarkets & packaging Producer responsibility schemes that oblige producers to recycle their products at end of life, leading to eco-innovation –E.g. Complex goods such as electrical goods and toys. Whilst avoiding anything that will encourage continued production of residual waste e.g. long incinerator contracts

How can we achieve this new approach? It will require: –Action in the three tiers of government: At local/regional level, where waste management is planned and implemented At national level, where the framework is set At EU level, where most of the laws are written –Changes in behaviour: Among the general public In companies Where do we start?

At European Union level Most waste-related regulation in the UK comes from the EU, and it is the main driver of all UK waste policy EU legislation is created by a democratic process –It is debated, amended and approved by the Parliament and by Member State governments The EU is now reviewing its waste regulations, and the proposal from the Commission includes: –Squashed waste hierarchy: recycling and incineration at the same level –Reclassifying incineration as recovery rather than disposal –No more producer responsibility regulations Your government and MEPs will be voting on this during 2006 and 2007 –Friends of the Earth are working, with our European partner groups, to amend this proposed law –We will need as many people as possible to help us push the politicians the right way (Parliamentary discussion is being led by the UK Conservative MEP, Caroline Jackson)

At National level The Government is currently consulting on its waste policy It is proposing a 50% target for recycling and composting by and around 25% incineration It is not proposing to take any action to deter the building of new incinerators, even though it accepts that recycling is better –No incineration tax –No restrictions on long contracts It is not proposing any new regulations on business –Though it predicts a major rise in commercial waste The new strategy will set the framework for local decisions The worse it is, the more incinerator proposals there will be The consultation ends on 9th May We need you to help us apply pressure on the government to create a genuinely sustainable waste strategy

Our key demands for the England Waste Strategy review A commitment to high recycling and composting targets for household waste, aiming for 75% by Allow councils to charge people for the amount of rubbish produced (after recycling & composting is taken out). Discourage the use of incinerators to dispose of waste, through bringing in a tax on incineration. Give companies (such as supermarkets) compulsory targets for reducing the amount of waste they produce, particularly waste which cannot be recycled or composted.

At local and regional level The place where waste policy is implemented… Investment needs to be focussed on: –Kerbside collection (ideally separated at kerbside) –Recycling, and source-separated composting/digestions –Sustainable waste management facilities, including composting and anaerobic digestion The building of unsustainable facilities needs to be opposed –Incinerators will tie your area into unsustainable waste management for decades (not to mention their other problems!) For further information: –See Friends of the Earth’s extensive list of publications on waste, including best practice recycling guides and briefings on technologies:

Behaviour changes General public –Will be led by provision of facilities a job for local, regional and national government –Needs to be followed up by publicity, carrots and sticks a job for local, regional and national government and in some cases, industry and environmental groups Industry –Will be led by pricing and regulation Mainly controlled at EU and national level –Can be assisted through publicity and advice a job for local, regional and national government

Conclusions Of all options for dealing with residual waste, phasing it out is the best environmental option Phasing out residual waste requires action at EU, national, regional and local level Phasing out residual waste will be controversial –An industry exists to dispose of residual waste –A phase-out will impact on many other industries –A phase-out will require investment in new facilities We can all help build the pressure…

Three priorities 1.Work locally for sustainable waste management –For high recycling, composting, waste prevention and education –Against mass burn incineration 2.Contribute to the Government’s waste consultation –Either through the simple action on our website: –Or write your own response, by 9th May: 3.Lobby your MEPs and the Government on the EU review –Join our waste action list, for future actions: –Find out who your MEPs are, and write to them about your concerns: