WASTE MANAGEMENT

Waste Management



Waste Management

1. Key Objectives and Targets of the Wastes Strategy 2007

Establishing a Waste Strategy Board to provide leadership within and across Government with responsibility for taking forward the delivery of this strategy and developing new policy actions as necessary; and a Waste Stakeholder Group to provide external advice, challenge and assistance with delivery

Publishing periodic reports on progress with delivery of the strategy

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from waste management by at least 9.3 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2020 compared to 2006/07

Setting a new target to reduce the amount of household waste not re-used, recycled or composted from over 22.2 million tonnes in 2000 and 18.6 million tonnes in 2005 to 15.8 million tonnes in 2010 with an aspiration to reduce it to 14.3 million tonnes in 2015 and 12.2 million tonnes in 2020 - a reduction of 45% between 2000 and 2020

Setting higher national targets for re-use, recycling and composting of household

Waste - at least 40% by 2010, 45% by 2015 and 50% by 2020

Setting national targets for the recovery of municipal waste - 53% by 2010, 67% by

2015 and 75% by 2020

Expecting the reduction of commercial and industrial waste going to landfill by at least

20% by 2010 compared to 2004

Considering in conjunction with the construction industry, a target to halve the amount of construction, demolition and excavation wastes going to landfill by 2012 as a result of waste reduction, re-use and recycling (Askarian 2004)

Further developing the evidence base to underpin the evaluation and development of future policies and review of the strategy

Legislative Drivers

The Government is therefore simplifying the regulatory system, making it more proportionate and risk based, through waste protocols that clarify when waste ceases to be waste (and so not subject to regulation); reforms of the permitting and exemption systems and the controls on handling, transfer and transport of waste, (with cost savings to business and regulator of, e.g. on permitting, at least £90 million); and better and earlier communication with all stakeholders (Patil 2005).

Several other EU Member States have found that imposing legal restrictions on the types of waste that can be land filled has encouraged higher rates of recycling and recovery (Oweis 2005). We intend, subject to further analysis, to consult on whether the introduction of further restrictions on the land filling of biodegradable wastes or recyclable materials would make an effective contribution to meeting the objectives set out in this strategy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resource efficiency. This consultation will be linked to the work on priority waste materials set out below.

2. Thermal Processes

Incineration limitations

A report was produced for DEFRA, which conducted a review of such studies [Enviros Consulting et al, 2004]. The report describes the health impacts of various waste management options. It includes useful data on pollutant emissions from waste incinerators, and an assessment of the health impacts from air pollutants (Leonard 2004). It is recommended that you read the report ...