A report from The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee states that the majority of pressure to recycle waste has been placed on householders, who are responsible for only 9 percent of the UK’s total waste problem. The Committee has suggested initiating a variable VAT rate to reduce the consumption of raw materials.
Environment minister Joan Ruddock stated that the government already uses measures designed to encourage businesses to cut waste being sent to landfill. Among those measures is the Landfill Tax Escalator - a programme in which the tax on landfills will increase by £8 per tonne each year until 2011.
According to the Today programme, the Committee acknowledged that the measure has been effective in reducing landfill waste but stated that other initiatives are also necessary.
“We would like to see the VAT regime reformed so that products that have a long life-cycle, or can be easily and cheaply repaired rather than replaced, are made economically more attractive,” said Lord O’Neill, who chaired the sub-committee on waste.
“This would be an important step in turning away from the ‘throwaway’ consumer culture we currently have.”
Although one-third of the waste generated in the UK is from construction and demolition firms and one-third is produced by mining and quarrying operations, the government and media have continued to focus on the small contribution of householders.
Among those interviewed by the Committee were business leaders who believe that each company should be held accountable for the amount of waste associated with its products. The Committee agreed.
Lord O’Neill said this action would ensure that “manufacturers who behave irresponsibly face financial consequences and those who are doing the right thing are supported.”
For more information, visit: parliament.uk/hlscience
|
|
