Local leadership makes the difference on waste

October 1, 2007

Chris Leslie
Urbanmines.org.uk

Flash flooding, eco-towns, political leaders clamouring for the green vote – climate change is at the heart of the news agenda and the centre of the policy contest. Within this, of course, the issue of waste remains a key battleground. In the local government world at least, we know that waste cannot be buried for much longer. Local authorities are feeling the pinch from landfill tax. With further EU fines looming, the pressure on councils to deliver an alternative waste strategy is increasing.

New technologies exist which could reduce the environmental impact of waste but few choices have been made locally or nationally as to which represents the best value, the most environmentally friendly and the most publicly acceptable option. This is preventing innovative waste companies investing early in what some fear could end up as redundant technologies, should policy fashion suddenly turn a new way. Uncertainty is also stunting the growth of a market in recyclables and bi-products that could increase private sector interest and investment in the area.

The co-ordinating and efficiency of existing waste services has some way to go too. The disconnect between county (disposal) and district (collection) councils is disruptive, shared services in the waste arena are few and far between and arguments rage over the placement of and investment in waste disposal infrastructure. Other policies such as alternate weekly collection (AWC) and charging for rubbish are in place or on the cards but are unlikely to deliver the step-change in recycling that would put us on par with our European neighbours.

There is no simple one-size-fits-all solution. DEFRA’s 2007 Waste Strategy was greeted with cautious enthusiasm, but what is needed now is real local leadership. A national waste strategy will only find traction if it allows local areas or sub-regions to define the approach that works best for them. Some may choose to invest in technology while others may accept a more punitive or producer-pays strategy. One town has already taken the step of banning plastic bags. Until basic strategic decisions are made, the political, public and market incentives for change will not find leverage.

Unfortunately, local progress remains difficult because waste is the topic with which local authorities are most frequently associated. People feel passionately about their communities and the impact of waste and rubbish on them. Change can have serious political ramifications. This is no reason for inaction. Quite the reverse. It means immediate local action is necessary to drive community engagement, improve service co-ordination and increase awareness. Councils are well placed to deliver all three.

Whichever strategy is chosen, a fully consulted public must better understand the impact of any decision on their locality. Voters remain unaware of the rising costs local authorities face in disposing of our rubbish and the knock-on impact of this on other essential services, not to mention their council tax. The Government’s charging consultation and recent Local Government Association recommendations have opened the box on the debate. Local authorities must take this opportunity to make clear to their residents the full range of options available and the consequences of doing nothing.


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