CIWM responds to the Scottish Governments Zero Waste policy statement
CIWM Statement
18th October 2011
CIWM has welcomed the Scottish Government's publication last week of its policy statement and impact assessment on the forthcoming Zero Waste Regulations.
"We believe that the Scottish Government has underlined their commitment to challenging the sector, and those who produce waste, to deliver a more resource efficient economy in the future," says Duncan Simpson, chairman of CIWM Scotland Centre.
The policy statement outlines some key measures, including banning municipal biodegradable waste going to landfill from 2020 - a first in the UK - and requiring councils to roll out household food waste collections by 2015. There is a strong focus on promoting high quality recycling, including a stipulation that co-mingled schemes must deliver the same quality as source separated collection, and a provision to allow Scottish Ministers to introduce statutory quality standards should they be required. A ban on material collected for recycling going to landfill or incineration is also proposed, as are new requirements to remove key recyclables from unsorted waste prior to incineration. Businesses will also be expected to fulfil new obligations in the way they present recyclable materials for collection.
"These are ambitious goals and we recognise that many in the industry, alongside those who manage business waste, will require more detail to be able to plan and develop appropriate systems going forward to meet them," adds Duncan. "However, the Government has certainly been very clear on its commitment to 'zero waste' and this provides a strong blueprint for the future.
"It is the next stage that is critical. The laws that will be introduced must be practical and workable, clear in intention, and accompanied by sound guidance to ensure that they can be interpreted easily by practitioners and others. The targets set must be achievable and should bring about the results the Government hopes for - more jobs, more investment, and greater integration of waste prevention, recycling and resource efficiency into everyday life.
"We also welcome the recognition by the Scottish Government that some of the plans require tempering to allow for problematic housing types, more effective communication with households, and timely investment in additional treatment infrastructure to support greater collection and separation of recyclable materials. We also welcome the recognition that small business may require more time to be able to react to the challenge, and that a greater level of access to recycling, for example, is a prerequisite of more participation and resource recovery.
"As always, the devil is in the detail and we await more facts and figures on the timescales for implementation, the description of what will be banned and not banned, and the requirements on businesses and others to deliver the plan. It is this level of detail which will give us a much greater understanding of the size and scale of the challenge for Scotland."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 7000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues.
2. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk
Press contacts:
Pat Jennings
CIWM Communications Office
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07912 228260
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk
