WASTE IN WALES: A NATIONAL RESOURCE
Generating Prosperity Through Recycling
Recommendations on waste recycling in Wales would create a minimum
of 1,000 new jobs, according to a major new report commissioned by
the IWA. The report WASTE IN WALES: A NATIONAL RESOURCE Generating
Prosperity Through Recycling, commissioned from ECOTEC Research
and Consulting, argues that now is the time to take a large and decisive
step, to begin treating waste as a resource that can be recycled and
reused within Wales to create employment and economic benefit.
The Steering Group, chaired by David Waterstone, former WDA Chief
Executive, which oversaw production of the report, has been co-opted
by the National Assembly to advise on a scoping study on developing
a Wales-wide Waste Strategy. Forthcoming EU directives will very shortly
require Wales to divert large quantities of waste away from landfill.
Failure to do so, could lead to significant financial penalties. Whilst
there has been much support for increased recycling in Wales, actual
performance has been amongst the worst in the developed world, with
around 95% of municipal waste going to landfill.
Lack of demand for recycled materials is the biggest obstacle to increasing
recycling rates. But there are many hundreds of potential markets
for wastes and recycled materials which offer opportunities for existing
businesses and new business start-ups. Support for developing these
types of companies could come from Objective 1 funding. The report
describes a wide range of promising opportunities for Wales.
The report contains over 40 recommendations on actions the National
Assembly, Local Authorities, the WDA and others can take to make things
happen. While difficult to estimate precisely, the measures outlined
in the report should result in the creation of more than 1,000 jobs,
possibly several thousand, directly and indirectly in Wales.
Commenting on the report, Roger Thomas, General Manager, Environment
Agency Wales said "We face a huge challenge in Wales in meeting
the European Commission's targets for reducing waste to landfill.
Whilst we need to focus on producing less waste, there are also enormous
opportunities for using wastes, as raw materials. This report very
clearly sets the way ahead."
The report was funded by the Environment Agency Wales, the Welsh Development
Agency, the National Assembly for Wales and the Prince's Trust
Bro (through Landfill Tax Credits).
The report is available in two forms:
- Summary Report - £10 (£5 to IWA members)
- Main Report - £30 (£15 to IWA members)
The Main Report discusses the issues in greater depth. It also provides
a clear overview of the current waste management situation in Wales
giving as accurate a picture as possible of the current household,
commercial and industrial arisings and their disposal routes. In addition,
the Main Report includes a report by Mrs Maggie Thurgood on Identifying
Waste Management Good Practice.
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