England and Wales produce over 100 million tonnes of waste each year (excluding construction and demolition waste) – a figure which until recently has been growing at around 3 per cent annually. Waste cannot be eliminated but its environmental impact can be lessened by preventing waste where possible, and making more sustainable use of the waste, through recycling and designing products that use fewer materials and processes that produce less waste.
More information on the national picture
Waste Strategy for England
Defra published a new Waste Strategy for England in May 2007. There is a
strong emphasis on waste prevention with a new national target to reduce
the amount of household waste not re-used, recycled or composted by 45% by
2015.
New recycling and waste recovery targets have been set:
• recycling and composting of household waste: at least 40% by 2010,
45% by 2015 and 50% by 2020; and
• recovery of municipal waste: 53% by 2010, 67% by 2015 and 75% by
2020.
The Government’s key objectives in the strategy are to:
• decouple waste growth (in all sectors) from economic growth and put
more emphasis on waste prevention and re-use;
• meet and exceed the Landfill Directive diversion targets for
biodegradable municipal waste in 2010, 2013 and 2020;
• increase diversion from landfill of non-municipal waste and secure
better integration of treatment for municipal and non-municipal
waste;
• secure the investment in infrastructure needed to divert waste from
landfill and for the management of hazardous waste; and
• get the most environmental benefit from that investment, through
increased recycling of resources and recovery of energy from residual waste
using a mix of technologies.
For more information on recycling and waste, and to view a copy of the
strategy, visit Defra’s Recycling and Waste webpage (link
below).
The South West
The increasing number of people who live and visit the South West region
means that more and more waste has to be dealt with. Every year, we produce
around:
• 2.5 million tonnes of domestic waste
• 5.5 million tonnes of commercial and industrial waste
• 12.5 million tonnes of construction and demolition waste
The South West region’s household recycling rate was second highest
in England for 2006/7 at 37.2% up from 31.4% in 2005/6 (source:
Defra).
With landfill space running out it is not the best or safest approach to
deal with waste that cannot be recycled. For further information on waste
issues in the South West, visit the Low Waste South West web page (link
below).
The South West Regional Waste Strategy
Launched in October 2004, the SW Regional Waste Strategy proposes how the
region can manage its waste more effectively and to realise the value of
what is being thrown away. For further details and to view the
strategy document, click on the 'South West Regional Waste
Strategy' link below.
