WASTE/RECYCLING
ECISION LLECTIONS
decision as a “springboard for action”. This positive reaction from the waste industry reflects both cost and environmental considerations: • From a cost perspective, the imposition of separate collections in areas where co-mingled collections are currently undertaken is likely to necessitate significant expenditure on the part of the waste contractor responsible for that area, therefore calling in to question whether such a measure could be described as economically practicable for the purposes of the Waste Framework Directive. For example, waste contractors may be required to purchase or lease numerous separate waste containers for each household and either convert collection vehicles to facilitate the separate storage of waste or purchase or lease new vehicles which are configured for separate
collections. Note that the CRR has previously suggested that it would be possible for the additional costs incurred in performing separate collections to be offset by the increased profit derived from the higher quality recyclate that will be recovered. However, there is a lack of evidence at present to support this assertion, meaning that many local authorities will remain of the view that the implementation of separate collections is economically impractical (given that the relevant local authority will ultimately have to bear the associated costs).
• From an environmental perspective, the imposition of separate collections may in some instances necessitate the performance of additional collection runs, therefore calling in to question whether such a measure could be considered to be environmentally practicable for the purposes of the Waste Framework Directive.
From the perspective of local
authorities, the court's decision will ensure that local authorities will not be forced to
engage in expensive and time-consuming renegotiation of waste collection contracts. As a result, many local authorities will be able to divert the resources which would have been used in implementing separate collections into maximising the quality and quantity of recyclate recovered from their current collection system. This view was endorsed by the Chair of the Local Government Association's Environment and Housing Board, Councillor Mike Jones, who said following the announcement of the decision that “it's time for the waste sector to draw a line under this and let councils get on with the job of providing residents with an efficient, environmentally responsible and value for money waste service”.
In any event, the United Kingdom seems to be close to achieving the targets
set by the EU of 50% of waste to be recycled by 2020 using current methods of collection. In 2011/12 Defra reported that 43% of household waste was recycled [Source:
Defra.gov.uk]. With this in mind, some in the waste sector have suggested that implementing separate waste collections could actually have an adverse impact on recycling rates (given the additional time required to sort recyclate), meaning that the UK would be less likely to achieve the required targets by 2020 if separate collections were universally adopted. This only serves to confirm that, at present, there is no general consensus on how best to structure waste collection activities in order to give effect to the Waste Framework Directive, meaning that this debate is likely to continue into the foreseeable future.
www.ashfords.co.uk
New guide from CESA and Zero Waste Scotland aims to tackle food waste
ESA and Zero Waste Scotland are working together to produce a guide which highlights food waste reduction options for food service operators in Scotland. This follows representations from the Catering Equipment Suppliers Association (CESA) and the British Hospitality Association (BHA) to Zero Waste Scotland on the issue last year and aims to reduce the cost of food waste to Scottish businesses each year.
C CESA will be drafting the ‘Guide to
Managing Food Waste’ with help from the BHA, CEDA (the Catering Equipment Distributors Association), and the FCSI (Foodservice Consultants Society International).
The guide will look at ways of
reducing this food waste at source and will cover all relevant aspects of food waste management, including legislation and the equipment solutions available. “Food waste is a huge issue, with 53,500 tonnes of food waste being discarded by the Scottish hospitality sector each year, and Zero Waste Scotland has a major commitment to tackle it,” says Nick Oryino, chair of CESA. “New Waste (Scotland) Regulations state that most food businesses must separate this waste for collection, however, there are a number of other options available, which go beyond complying with the regulations and could lead to real economic benefits for
businesses. For example, by introducing a complete food waste management system which includes separate collections to include liquid waste and fats, oils and grease (FOG).”
CESA believes that this operator knowledge and understanding will be key to meeting Scottish Government targets. “By showing operators how the technologies required to achieve targets can enhance their business, including their profitability, we can fully involve them in meeting the zero waste objective,” says Oryino.
Any companies or organisations interested in contributing to the Guide should contact CESA as soon as possible, through the website,
www.cesa.org.uk, by emailing
enquiries@cesa.org.uk, or by calling 020 7793 3030. Information is currently being collated with a view to publishing the Guide this summer.
PUBLIC SECTOR SUSTAINABILITY • VOLUME 3 ISSUE 3 19
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