Agenda item

The Vice-Chair introduced the report, and informed members that he had led a delegation to Brussels to discuss proposals for the Circular Economy with MEPs, UK government representatives, the Commission official leading the work on the proposals and the CBI team in Brussels. Meetings had also taken place with a former Defra Minister and Defra officials. Following these meetings LGA policy position papers on the EU Circular Economy and meeting EU recycling targets had been produced, and were included with the Board papers.

The Vice-Chair drew attention to what councils had already achieved on the Circular Economy. He highlighted that there had been a 78% reduction in waste to landfill (per household) since 2002/03, which would have been impossible without investment from local authorities. He also commented that a number of other EU member countries were not achieving the high rates of recycling and reduction of waste to landfill seen in the UK. Meeting recycling targets should not mean an additional burden on taxpayers; instead a waste market in reusable waste should be created.

In the discussion which followed the following points were raised:

·         The EU Circular Economy and EU recycling targets policy position papers should be endorsed.

·         A great deal of work with the private sector had been undertaken to change product design so that products and packaging were reusable and recyclable. Packaging was a big concern for local authorities, and work would continue to make it more easily recyclable.

·         Food waste was also a major concern for councils, as it was expensive to collect. Supermarkets should examine the most effective way of tackling food waste, as there should be responsibility all the way through the food chain. Further work with WARP would continue to address this issue.

·         Urban and rural councils shared responsibility for meeting waste and recycling targets, and poor performers should be targeted.

·         The drive for secondary materials to improve the financial viability of recycling collection should be increased.

·         Longer product warranties could potentially reduce the amount of residual waste produced.

In response to a question on fines, it was highlighted that the Secretary of State had the authority to distribute fines equally amongst councils. There should be a focus on improving the recycling rates and reducing the waste sent to landfill of metropolitan councils as that would protect all councils against fines if targets were not met.

Decisions

·         That the policy positons set out in the two policy papers in the report be noted, and members’ comments on them be taken into account.

·         That the next steps, as outlined in the report, be agreed.

Actions

·         Arrange a meeting with Defra Ministers to present both sets of proposals.

·         Respond to revised consultation on the EU Circular Economy proposals.

·         Potentially send a further delegation to Brussels in the autumn at the end of the consultation period.

·         Develop a further media strategy to support the work on recycling targets.