"If we are to create a way of living that can sustain, then water, waste, transport and energy, as well as farming, food, fishing and the built environment, have to be thought of as a whole"
John Gummer, Conservative Party
“Zero waste is a goal – an aspiration, something to aim for. It will not be easy, and we will all need to take bold steps and to accept change”, says the Conservative party.
This aspiration comes out of the final report from the Tory Quality of Life Policy Group, chaired by John Gummer and vice-chaired by Zac Goldsmith, which was released this morning.
The Group have spent 18 months developing an agenda to make "Britain a world leader on green growth" using a three pronged approach through:
- "Using markets to help create positive change
- Helping individuals change their behaviour, and
- Making industry use resources more efficiently."
In the report ‘Blueprint for a Green Economy’ issued through the Shadow Cabinet, a series of proposals to reduce pollution and improve the wider environment and quality of life has been presented.
Towards a zero waste economy
The report says that waste management has a silent impact as most people do not think about it – until problems arise.
It refers back to the rubbish that piled in the streets during the ‘winter of discontent’ and reminisces on the rats and smells. Could this be political points scoring?
However the report correctly identifies the essential need for resource management as a “fundamental requirement for human existence”. Of course waste and resources go hand in hand.
Zero waste is a goal, an aspiration, and something to aim for that requires bold steps and an acceptance of change. However the report considers this to be a major opportunity that has already been recognised by some of Britain’s leading companies and expects the challenge to be risen to.
The view of and value attributed to resources including minimisation of their use is considered to be essential to combat climate change.
As well as a central theme of the extension of producer responsibility, the report also proposes banning the landfill disposal of recycables and increasing landfill tax to similar levels levied in “leading” EU countries.
Where the line would be drawn is paramount in terms of recyclables, for instance would heavily contaminated paper still be considered as recyclable?
The authors consider that through their proposals, “the disposable days are over”.
Comments
Launching the report, John Gummer said,
"If we are to create a way of living that can sustain, then water, waste, transport and energy, as well as farming, food, fishing and the built environment, have to be thought of as a whole."
John Gummer was a Cabinet Minister, under both Margaret Thatcher and John Major, serving as Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food and then as Secretary of State for the Environment. He has had a substantial sixteen years of ministerial experience and one of only five people in the last 200 years who have had such long ministerial office.
Zac Goldsmith added,
"This is the most thorough review of environmental policies ever conducted by a political Party. It is radical but practical, pioneering but realistic, and shows how the next Conservative government can deliver the change we need."
Further information
David Cameron set up six policy groups to make recommendations to the Shadow Cabinet, and the Quality of Life group are the final one to report back. The proposals will now be discussed by the Party before a decision is taken on the recommendations laid down in the report.
The report ‘Blueprint for a Green Economy’ can be found on the web site of the Conservative Party.