A new scheme was announced earlier today by recycling minister Lord Henley that will allow Courtauld-style voluntary contracts designed to cut down on commercial waste and minimise the need for further regulation.
The Government has said it will plan to incorporate businesses into a voluntary responsibility deal that will mirror the Courtauld Commitment. Aimed at reducing industrial and commercial waste, the agreement will see that businesses take responsibility for the sustainable disposal of all waste generated by the operations.
According to Lord Henley, environment secretary Caroline Spelman made it explicit last month that the Government believes that householders as well as businesses should be encouraged to take responsibility for sustainable waste management practices, rather than a penalty or hefty fees being lodged against them by having excessive regulations or rules. Ms Spelman detailed this notion in the recent review of waste policy.
The voluntary responsibility deals will operate by encouraging healthy competition between firms in the form of incentives for those businesses that reduce their waste levels and increase recycling targets. Lord Henley added that business was not the only sector that would benefit from such an arrangement.
He added that the government sees the responsibility deals as a means to drive the country towards a zero-waste economy. He said it will be good to see businesses come forward with their own proposal and ideas for change.
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