The Environment Agency has its hands full conquering two of its biggest challenges in regard to recycling. They are convincing the public to participate fully in recycling schemes as well as attacking the subject of non-municipal waste. Naturally, the EA is also focussed on waste reduction.
Legislation regulating how businesses approach recycling is a good start, but EA head of waste Liz Parkes believes that only real progress can be made through changes in consumer behavior.
Ms Parkes recently spoke at the RWM conference in Birmingham. Parkes said that 91% of the UK’s refuse is not municipal waste.
“If we can get the public brought in, this is the big challenge. Waste in the media spotlight every day. We need to work together to raise the game on this,” Ms Parkes told delegates.
She added: “The challenge is to look at consumer behaviour. To take that forward we really need to look at this market.
“There’s no point pumping money into changes that are happening already that might give us one or two per cent [more recycling].
The EA has been working with a number of other government agencies, such as WRAP and Defra. Ms. Parkes also commented on Defra’s Waste Strategy for England, saying that while the scheme may not be a “perfect strategy,” it does provide an impetus for the recycling industry overall.
“We don’t need to aim for perfection - we really need to get moving. We don’t want this analysis paralysis,” she said.
“The Waste Strategy didn’t get everything right but at least it was a way forward.”
To learn more, go to: environment-agency.gov.uk
Source: Edie.net
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