South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon has called upon the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to make recycling easier, as a new report finds that much of the progress made in reducing reliance on landfill has been from increased recycling driven by the enthusiasm of the public.

Mr Bacon was speaking as the Commons public accounts committee published its report on reducing England’s reliance on landfill.
 

Since 2003-04, there has been a reduction of 2.3 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill, largely due to the enthusiasm of the public for recycling. The report finds that although further increases in recycling rates may be necessary householders can find it difficult to work out what items go in each of their bins or what to do with old electrical goods.

The report also finds that several initiatives in DEFRA’s current waste strategy depend on further consultation and no funding is provided for the promised Waste Strategy Board. Considerable delays have also been caused by the lack of sufficiently clear responsibilities or timetables in DEFRA’s four previous strategies and consultation papers.

Mr Bacon said today: “The public should be applauded for leading the way on recycling but DEFRA is not matching their efforts. If DEFRA want more people to recycle, recycling must be made easier. However, many householders are unsure what items go in which of their many wheeled bins. Differences between neighbouring local authorities over what can be recycled and the different colour and design of bins in different areas do not help”.

“In Norfolk, only one local authority will accept glass and the colour of wheeled bins varies widely across the county. In some areas, green bins are for recycling and black bins are for general waste. In others, the opposite is the case. Is it any wonder people are confused?”.

“What the public and local authorities need is real leadership, but all DEFRA’s waste strategy provides is a collection of half-measures and unfunded initiatives. DEFRA must work with local authorities to make recycling easier or the public’s enthusiasm will turn to frustration and apathy”.

30 October 2007