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 Recycling |
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 Official UK and EU policy seeks to increase the proportion of waste that is recycled. Local authorities take an active role in the recycling of municipal waste, but are restricted by resource limitations. Proposed EC directives could result in mandatory recycling targets for various waste products, similar to those that already apply to packaging waste. The UK has long- established industries that recover scrap metal, solvents and oils.
Official UK government and EU policy encourages the recycling of waste materials, as recycling conserves finite resources and can often result in considerable energy savings. Life cycle analysis studies indicate that recycling can be the best practicable environmental option (BPEO) for a number of materials found in the municipal waste stream, particularly paper and glass. However, the environmental benefits of recycling will depend on local factors, such as the accessibility of collection and reprocessing facilities and the state of the market in reprocessed materials, which has a tendency to fluctuate. In the Waste Strategy 2000 for England and Wales (Cmnd 4693, available from The Stationery Office) the following targets are set: |
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- To recycle or compost at least 25% of household waste by 2005, at least 30% by 2010 and at least 33% by 2015
- To recover value from 45% of household waste by 2010 and 66% by 2015 (this target incorporates energy recovery as well as recycling and composting).
The aim of the Government's waste strategy is to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill in line with EU commitments in Directive 99/31/EC to reduce the landfilling of biodegradable waste by about two-thirds by 2020. Many of the measures in the waste strategy concern recycling, including:
- Statutory local authority recycling targets and action plans
- A new Waste and Resources Action Programme dedicated to developing new markets for recycled waste
- Plans to require Government departments to by recycled products, starting with a pilot scheme for paper
- More use of the landfill tax credit scheme to deliver an increase in recycling, particularly of household waste
- Tradable permits limiting the amount of biodegradable waste local authorities can send to landfill sites
- Extending producers' responsibility to recover their product. eg newspapers and junk mail
- Continuing to raise public awareness, working with the National Waste Awareness Initiative
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The promotion of recycling in the UK has largely been seen as a matter for voluntary initiatives spurred on by market mechanisms, but some legislative controls apply.
Waste Management Licensing
Large-scale, potentially polluting recycling operations, including scrap metal and solvent recovery operations, may require a waste management licence, although many recycling and recovery activities are exempt and need only be registered with the Environment Agency. Recyclers should bear in mind that even though they may be exempt from licensing they are still subject to the duty of care, and could be prosecuted if, for example, stored waste materials are causing harm to the local environment. Waste management facilities are being brought out of the licensing regime in Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for regulation under the new integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) regime. |
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IPC and LAPC
Large-scale solvent and oil recovery processes regulated under the integrated pollution control (IPC) regime. The rendering of animal by-products is regulated under local air pollution control (LAPC) and the Animal By-Products Order 1992. IPC and LAPC are being replaced by IPPC (see IPPC earlier in this publication)
Producer Responsibility
Under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No. 648), as amended, companies which manufacture, convert, pack, fill and sell packaging have an obligation to arrange for a certain percentage of this packaging to be recovered and recycled. The European Commission is seeking to impose similar obligations on manufacturers and retailers of end-of-life vehicles, consumer batteries and waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Batteries
Certain batteries containing heavy metals must be marked to facilitate separate collection for recycling, as required by the Batteries and Accumulators (Containing Dangerous Substances) Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No. 232)
Recycling by Local Authorities
Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, waste collection authorities (WCAs), normally district councils, are responsible for arranging for the recycling of municipal waste. Waste disposal authorities (WDAs) and local planning authorities are also involved in making provision for recycling facilities. Under recent government guidelines, the different local authorities will be working much more closely together to achieve integrated waste management strategies. Many councils employ a recycling officer and promote recycling as part of their Local Agenda 21 activities. WCAs can claim recycling credits from the WDAs, equivalent to the savings in disposal costs achieved through recycling (under the system of recycling credits brought into operation by the Environmental Protection (Waste Recycling Payments) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992 No. 462), as amended). |
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Q: If recycling is so beneficial in saving money and resources, why is it that most waste still ends up in landfill?
A: Recycling saves money only where there is a market for the recycled product. For certain materials, eg plastics, the market opportunities are limited. Local authorities often lack the capital to invest in recycling facilities, which can be costly to construct. Without further market intervention, landfill is likely to remain a cheaper option than recycling for municipal waste
Q: What is the government doing to achieve recycling targets?
A: The landfill tax and the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Waste) Regulations 1997 are both intended to increase recycling. New measures detailed in the national waste strategy will also further the recycling cause. It is hoped that recycling will be promoted through voluntary initiatives such as environmental management systems and a move towards "green Procurement".
Q: What can I do to encourage recycling in my company?
A: By carrying out an environmental audit or review it is often possible to identify recycling opportunities that will result in significant cost savings, and therefore win the support of management. Local charities will often collect materials such as paper and aluminium cans.
Key Facts |
- The UK Government is seeking to encourage recycling by setting ambitious targets for local authorities and by introducing new legislation and market mechanisms.
- Barriers to recycling include the limited market for recycled products and the capital cost of recycling facilities.
- The European Commission is seeking to introduce mandatory recycling obligations on suppliers of vehicles, batteries and electrical/electronic equipment.
- Recycling operations may require a waste management licence, although most are exempt
SOURCE: "Croner's Environmental Practice A-Z", October 2000
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