London, UK: It has been widely reported nationally that the UK Government has delayed an announcement on controversial incentives for the recycling of household waste, which had been expected today.
The announcement was anticipated following an earlier consultation on financial incentives, issued by Defra. 'Consultation on the Incentives for Recycling by Households', was issued in May and closed on 16 August this year.
However as far as Defra is concerned there is no set time scale for such an announcement.
Speculation in the national press is that an announcement may have been delayed once the Prime Minister had seen the responses to the consultation on incentives to recycle, which were released earlier this week. It is thought that he may have been concerned about the effects on families of any penalties for non-recycling.
Kerbside sorting of household recyclable waste (Photo: Cotswold District Council)
The purpose of financial incentive schemes is to encourage and reward sustainable behaviour in dealing with household waste and they were not intended to be money-raising exercises for local authorities, though comments were invited on this aspect in the recent consultation.
Schemes would vary dependent on exactly what a local authority decides to do. The aim of schemes is to encourage householders to maximise the amount of materials sent for recycling - including composting - and reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste they produce. Good recyclers could receive a rebate from their local authorities while poor recyclers or non-recyclers would be likely to pay more.
The UK Government, and other European nations, are subject to the EU Landfill Directive which requires the diversion of set proportions of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) from landfill by specified targets years. If it fails to do so, the UK is likely to face substantial fines from the European Court.
Some other European nations have successful direct charging systems for household waste, including Ireland.
Michael Grimes, partner at international law firm Eversheds which advises on issues within the waste sector, commented:
“The Government may feel that its battle for the hearts and minds of the public is currently delivering fast enough gains in recycling to avoid the need for a financial stick or carrot.
"Maintaining the goodwill of the public and their participation at all levels of resource consumption, waste creation and disposal is vital. Alienating and fining a sceptical body of the public who do not yet participate willingly may be a backward step.
"What government needs is failing to recycle to be socially unacceptable just like drinking and driving.”