Waste recycling on the up, but falling short of targets

15 November 2009

Latest government figures show the amount of household waste recycled by local authorities nationwide has continued to rise, but councils’ ability to meet tough EU targets have been questioned.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) revealed recycling rates were up to 37.6% in 2008/9, compared to 34.5% in 2007/8, indicating an 11.2% rise since 2000/1. But the Local Government Association (LGA) claims more needs to be done.

Cllr Gary Porter, chairman of the LGA’s environment board, warned there was an ‘increasing risk’ that councils will fail to meet EU targets for cutting waste sent to landfill by 2013. This would land ‘potentially crippling fines’ on the public purse.

‘The Government needs to make good on its undertaking to return to councils the tax they pay for throwing rubbish in the ground. Councils could use landfill tax to invest in better facilities to make recycling even easier and cut further the amount of rubbish we throw in the ground.’

However, environment minister Dan Norris claimed the UK was on the right path to becoming a ‘zero waste’ nation. Staffordshire MDC held the highest recycling rate with 61.5%, while the three most improved local authorities were Rochford DC, Rutland CC and Warwick DC. The best regional recycling was found in the East, East Midlands and South West.

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