Over half of waste and recycling datasets phased out under Conservatives, research shows

A new analysis by the Copper Sustainability Partnership (CuSP) has revealed a sharp decline in environmental reporting under the former Conservative government, with over half of waste and recycling datasets phased out between 2010 and 2022.

The research shows that the number of waste and recycling datasets published by the government fell by an average rate of six per cent each year during this period. In the first three years of Conservative leadership, an average of 30 datasets were published annually. By 2022, this figure had dropped to just 12.

Oliver Lawton, co-founder of CuSP, expressed concern about the implications of this decline: "The former government has set a dangerous precedent by relaxing its vigilance in regard to environmental reporting. Not only do these reports provide valuable insights that inform waste management policy, but they also hold businesses to account over poor waste treatment practices."

Reduction in sector-specific waste reporting

One significant aspect of the decline in waste reporting is the UK's withdrawal from the EU's NACE reporting system, a standardised classification system used by the EU to categorise different economic sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Prior to Brexit, the UK was required to report on waste treatment across these various NACE sectors, providing detailed insights into how different industries were managing their waste. Following the decision to drop this data compilation, the UK does not have the same level of transparency about issues related to waste management practice in specific industries.

Andrew Surtees, fellow co-founder of CuSP, highlighted the impact of this reduced reporting on the construction industry: "In the construction industry, we have seen new products that are neither made with recycled materials nor recycled at the end of their lifecycle pushed by manufacturers, adding to already excessive levels of waste emissions at a time when the sector is falling further behind in its net-zero commitments."

According to CuSP, the decline in waste and recycling reporting runs parallel to a slowdown in progress toward net-zero targets across various industries. With businesses now subject to less scrutiny, there are growing concerns about the UK's ability to meet its environmental goals.

This reduction in environmental reporting coincides with significant budget cuts to the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs under the former Conservative government. Funding for environmental protection was also halved during this period, leading to restricted research activity and the phasing out of several key waste and recycling statistical datasets.

The situation in the UK contrasts with the EU, where corporate sustainability reporting requirements are more stringent and it is mandatory for all large and listed companies to disclose information on their environmental impact.

With the current Labour government emphasising its commitment to reducing waste and moving towards a circular economy, CuSP says campaigners are calling for the reinstatement of key environmental reports.

Surtees added: "The Labour government's pledge to minimise waste is welcome but must be backed up by decisive action, starting with a thorough review of the current state of waste and recycling in industries like construction that have long been able to escape scrutiny."