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You are here: CIWM  >  Publications  >  Latest News  >  Environment Secretary Challenged Over Lack Of Specific Recycling Targets

Environment Secretary Challenged Over Lack Of Specific Recycling Targets

5 July 2011

Environment secretary Caroline Spelman came under fire in the House of Commons last week over the Waste Review's lack of specific recycling targets, with shadow waste and recycling minister, Jamie Reed, claiming: "England deserves better"

"Will the Secretary of State tell the House why she has scrapped recycling targets for England?" shadow waste and recycling minister, Jamie Reed asked. "Will she also publish an assessment of how many English jobs will not now be created, and how much investment in the waste industry will not now be made, as a result of her decision?"

Reed claimed that not introducing targets England's waste industry would miss out on jobs and investment, comparing the decision with the targets set by devolved administrations - with both Wales and Scotland aiming for a 70 percent recycling rate by 2025 and Northern Ireland considering setting a 60 percent goal for 2020.

Joan Ruddock, former waste and recycling minister questioned Spelman's relationship with Communities secretary Eric Pickles, asking: "Is it the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who has crushed her ambition and vetoed a target for recycling in this country?"

Spelman described Reed's comments as a "gross distortion" of the waste review, saying: "We have not scrapped recycling targets; we are committed to EU targets for recycling," she said. "In addition, we have more ambition with regard to landfill, which exceeds the ambition of the previous Government and involves proposals not to bury metal and wood in landfill.

"If targets are too specific they can be distorting, driving councils to meet centrally imposed indicators instead of doing what is best for their local circumstances.

"A good example of that was the landfill allowance trading scheme, which led to the anomaly of disincentivising the recycling of business waste."

Reed questioned her comments, saying: "Caroline Spelman either isn't aware or can't accept that her own waste review has abandoned recycling targets for England."

Reed also claimed the targets would help "rebalance the economy", he said: "The government is squandering the opportunity to create these jobs and deterring investment. England deserves better."

For the full waste policy review CLICK HERE

Darrel Moore