Recycling and Waste

Everyone produces waste, in England and Wales industry, commerce and households produce over 100 million tonnes each year. This is growing at around 3% each year. While waste cannot be eliminated, we can reduce its environmental impact by preventing waste wherever possible, and making more sustainable use of the waste that is produced. The Government set out its vision for sustainable waste management in Waste Strategy 2000, the national waste strategy. England recycles or composts just 12 percent of its household waste - one of the lowest rates in Europe - and our target is to increase this to 25% by 2005/2006. We are also committed to reducing the amount of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled, in accordance with European Directives.

For information about the issues surrounding recycling and waste, and the actions we are taking, see the following sections:

• An Introduction to Waste in the UK
  Outline of main issues & policy overview
• What happens to waste? - Reduce; Re-use; Recycle/Compost; Incineration/Energy recovery; Landfill
  This section includes Frequently Answered Questions and background material on specific topics
• An A to Z of waste issues
• Information for local authorities
  Copies of guidance etc
• Legislation and licensing
  Material on main UK legislation and policy documents
• Waste statistics
  The annual Municipal Waste Management Survey and other material
• Community sector
• Sustainable buildings initiative
• Links
• Advisory Committees
• Contacts

Recent developments

• 22 December 2003: UK Government response to the European Commission's Communication "Towards a thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste
• 10 December 2003: Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund Evaluation
• 9 December 2003: Revised Waste Implementation Programme factsheets (70 KB)
• 4 September 2003: Waste shipments - Commission proposal for Changes to Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93
• 11 August 2003: European Commission consultation on the Communication towards a thematic strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste (15 KB)
• 7 August 2003: Waste Permitting Review
• 15 July 2003: Information about the Household Waste Recycling Bill (formerly known as the Municipal Waste Recycling Bill)
• 13 June 2003: Report from Advisory Committee on Packaging to Government
• 6 May 2003: Government response to the Strategy Unit report "Waste not, Want not" - see also this News Release
• 21 February 2003: Study on disamenity costs of landfill - see also this News Release and news story
• 7 February 2003: Waste Incineration Directive 2000/76/EC - Guidance, details of implementing Regulations and Directions

Contacting Defra

Waste Strategy Division is responsible for the Waste Strategy; operation of the Landfill Directive and the Landfill Tax; local authority waste funding; management, minimisation, recovery, re-use and recycling of waste. Waste Management Division is responsible for implementation of the EC framework directive on waste, for waste management licensing, international waste shipments, hazardous waste and for producer responsibility. Enquiries may be directed by e-mail to:

• waste.strategy@defra.gsi.gov.uk (for "Waste Strategy" Division business)
• waste.policy@defra.gsi.gov.uk (for "Waste Management" Division business)
• Environmental.Protection.Division@wales.gsi.gov.uk for information on waste management in Wales.
• Waste information from Scottish Environment Protection Agency:
  Freephone Waste action line 0800 389 5270
  Email: www.sepa.org.uk/nws/wasteaction/index.htm
  Website www.sepa.org.uk/nws

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