19.09.11
Recycling policy under review
Recycling policy in the UK is facing a legal challenge on whether household waste should be separated by the householder or whether ‘co-mingling’ can continue.
The Campaign for Real Recycling (CRR) has won an application for a judicial review of the UK’s interpretation of the EU’s revised waste framework directive. At the moment, local authorities decide their own recycling methods for household waste, with about half opting to separate waste.
Further separation could lead to costlier collections, and could be off-putting to residents if the number of different containers rises greatly. However, the CRR argues that keeping materials separate boosts value and improves recycling.
Biffa, a waste management company involved in tendering for contracts using both recycling techniques, has suggested that co-mingling can deliver higher levels of overall reductions in landfill. The waste framework directive aims to reduce the volume of landfill disposal.
Hon Mr Justice Hickinbottom will consider arguments as to whether the government ministry responsible for translating the EU directive into UK law, Defra, has wrongly allowed local authorities the discretion to promote co-mingling recycling in December.
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