Landfill ban plan welcomed by recycling industry body

A plan mooted by Tory MPs to ban sending plastics, wood, textiles and food to landfill has been welcomed by recycling industry body Resource Association.


The 2020 Conservatives group, which is developing ideas for the party’s election manifesto, said that recycling such items would also generate a further £2.5bn. The 2020 group published its report, entitled ‘Sweating Our Assets’, yesterday (3 February). 

Resource Association chairman Andy Doran, who participated in the work of the 2020 Group said: “I welcome the report’s strong focus on the role of reprocessing and remanufacturing as engines of growth in the emerging resources-based circular economy and congratulate Laura Sandys MP and colleagues on placing these issues on the political centre stage.”

“The emphasis on ReMade in Britain as a rallying call for a new business sector is important, alongside practical policy proposals to support industry such as extending Enhanced Capital Allowances. Together with the focus on profitability, they send a clear signal that industry is ready to respond to clear long term policy signals from Government. We hope that the Chancellor takes time to read this report and act!”

Chief executive Ray Georgeson added: “It is notable that the report recommends landfill bans for key materials in the interests of resource security.

“We support this in principle, but emphasise that they will only be effective if combined with the sort of industry measures proposed in the report to boost end market development and also combined with caps on key materials going to incineration. Without this, the jobs multiplier value inherent in more reuse, remanufacturing and reprocessing will be constrained.”

“We also support the structural change in policy lead proposed, from Defra to BIS, as an important indicator of the future role of the resources industry.  This however should not be a distraction from the urgent need to deliver policy improvements now that help us realise the value we waste in resources. I hope this report is a catalyst for change.”

Liz Gyekye

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