Defra plans to develop a “more mature narrative” on energy-from-waste incineration.To make it clear that that the technology is safe and has a role to play in diverting waste from landfill, according to a senior civil servant in the department.
The comments by Defra’s deputy director in charge of waste strategy, Diana Linskey, came as she outlined the emerging themes of the government’s review of waste strategy in England and gave an overview of responses to its call for evidence, which ended last month.
Speaking at the LARAC 2010 conference in Liverpool , Ms Linskey revealed that she is scheduled to deliver a summary of the 300 stakeholder responses to the call for evidence to the waste and recycling minister Lord Henley.
Outlining how the government was approaching EfW incineration, she said it was looking at “developing a more mature narrative on incineration,” adding “we all know it’s good and clean and has a place to play”.
She also commented on how the ‘localism’ agenda could impact on waste services, explaining that it had “implications for collections and perhaps central control over EU target delivery”.
Ms Linskey explained the government’s thinking was based on the fact that it’s “not very keen on targets or performance management”, and noted the review was examining: “How we look at a smaller role for government, only intervening when necessary but setting the agenda – not just central government but local government.
She added: “We’re still working through what we mean by ‘big society’, but it’s something the coalition government believes very deeply.”
In terms of the 300 responses to the call for evidence, which was formally launched by environment secretary Caroline Spelman in July 2010, Ms Linskey said the government had received: 101 from local authorities; 57 from business including waste management companies; 38 from trade associations; 16 campaign groups; 14 from charities and community groups; and, 53 from individuals.
She explained that local authorities had shown “strong support” for local determination of collection regimes, but underpinned by national standards, as well as wanting to see landfill tax revenues returned for infrastructure investment. Councils have long called for the proceeds of the levy to be directly returned to them.
She also noted that councils had said they see the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) as a “barrier” to providing waste and recycling services for small businesses. In the past, councils have said concerns over trade waste counting towards their LATS allowances have dissuaded them from offering the services.
Of the respondents from civil society, Ms Linskey said there were “strong fears” over incineration, prompting calls for an incineration tax, as well as calls for landfill bans, supported for segregated collections and “more flexible” waste management systems with fewer long-term contracts.
And, in terms of business responses, she noted calls for more consistency on collection system, concerns over planning barriers and co-ordination on energy from waste – but without the government proscribing particular technologies.
Confirming the government still planned to deliver the initial findings of the review in spring 2011, she said that the responses to the call for evidence “gives me a good solid basis for going back to ministers to tell them what you think”.
Providing an update on the implementation of the revised Waste Framework Directive in England and Wales, Mrs Linskey revealed there had been 166 responses to the second consultation launched in July 2010 on the regulations that will be used to implement the legislation domestically.
She said the main issues raised by respondents revolved around the implementation of the new, legally-binding waste hierarchy, and finding a balance between commingled and source-separated collections.
In particular, she noted that there was “pressure” for the government to advocate separate collections, but said minister “see commingled as making it easier for people”.
The UK is expected to implement the Directive by December 10 2010. However, Ms Linskey said the government was now aiming to lay its implementing regulations in January 2011.
Source: letsrecycle.com
