CIWM gives evidence to EAC and EFRA Committees

CIWM gave evidence yesterday to two House of Commons select committees. Speaking to the members of the Environmental Audit Committee for its inquiry into 'Growing a circular economy', CIWM chief executive Steve Lee talked about the importance of a clear and co-ordinated policy framework to acknowledge and support the role of sustainable waste management in developing a circular economy.

Asked about current and future levels of recycling, he told the committee that there is growing evidence that recycling is flatlining and warned that this trend, if unchecked, could compromise the UK's ability to meet the 50% recycling target in the EU Waste Framework Directive. He also emphasised the role of consistent messages from government departments to encourage consumers; comments about 'slop buckets' from ministers is not, for example, a helpful message to householders about food waste collections.

Asked about waste infrastructure, Steve went on to say that the industry does not yet have the infrastructure it needs to maintain strong progress on re-use and recycling and to meet the higher targets being proposed by the European Commission. Poor data, particularly on commercial and industrial waste, hampers strategic planning, forecasting and investment decisions and this situation needs to be addressed as a matter of priority. The new Electronic Duty of Care (edoc) will help build a more accurate picture of waste arisings, he said, but he concurred with Dominic Hogg from Eunomia, who was also giving evidence, that "if we want to accelerate the transition to a circular economy we need to know where the materials are…".

Suggesting that transferring taxation from labour to materials to encourage more resource efficient design and manufacturing is one of the potential financial instruments that governments should be exploring, Steve also mentioned the need for new business models including a move away from ownership to the purchase of a 'product service'.

At the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Committee hearing in the afternoon on its inquiry into Waste Management in England, Steve reiterated the need for joined-up government thinking and good communications to consumers and businesses. Agreeing with the other witnesses in the session (Jacob Hayler - ESA, and Phil Barton - Keep Britain Tidy) that clear policy at a national and local level, coupled with additional government funding, has helped to deliver strong recycling progress in Wales , he also told the committee that Energy from Waste has to be part of the mix in the medium term. Asked about public perception of Energy from Waste, he cited the position statement from Public Health England (previously the Health Protection Agency) that the contribution of modern, well managed incinerators to local concentrations of air pollutants and the resulting impact on health is "likely to be very small and not detectable".

Footage of the evidence sessions can be found here: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Home.aspx

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6000 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. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

Press contacts:
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CIWM Communications Office
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E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk