Ministers propose stronger waste management framework

Set out in four consultation papers that outline strategies and plans for the delivery of sustainable waste management, Ministers say the proposals will provide a more integrated, simple and effective framework for supporting communities.

“Not collecting the waste is not an option,” Environment Minister Mr Morley said. “Everyone has a role to play: manufacturers, waste managers, local communities and the authorities that serve them. This consultation aims to help all those involved take their share of responsibility for reducing and managing waste.”

The papers underline the need for the effective integration between the development of municipal waste management strategies and planning processes, and policies both regionally and locally, along with a full appraisal of their development.

Also identified by the consultation documents was the need to provide a framework that can support the development of both long-term and short-term plans, as well as the need for early and continuous community engagement.

Minister for Housing and Planning Mr Hill stated that the proposals were vital to implementing a high standard of waste management in the UK because every household and business produced waste on a daily basis.

“The planning system has a pivotal role to play in making sure we get the right facilities in place to deal with all our waste,” he said. “The new PPS10 give clarity on what is needed regionally and locally and will lead to greater certainty for local communities and industry.”

According to the Parliamentary statement, PPS10 will aim to “deliver sustainable development and deliver a better match between the waste communities generate and the facilities needed to manage this waste”.

The proposals also confirm that the waste hierarchy will run at the heart of new policies, with a greater emphasis on reusing waste as a resource.

By Jane Kettle