Value in waste being investigated by government
Sir Mark Walport, the government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, is authoring the report, which will examine issues of waste in a ‘cost-cutting, multi-disciplinary way’ and ‘explore how the UK can move from creating waste to valuing resources’.
The government has been criticised for its lack of interest in the waste industry and its potential to provide employment and innovative new ways of handling resources, particularly in the wake of the publication of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs’ (Defra) five-year plan in February, which virtually ignored the sector.
However, news of this report will go some way to reassuring the industry that the value of the waste industry has been noted by the government. The report will be co-authored by Defra Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Ian Boyd.
‘Big opportunities’ from harvesting the value from waste
Walport visited Veolia’s integrated waste management facility in Southward today (4 August) alongside new Environment Minister Therese Coffey, whose waste management brief was confirmed this week.
Speaking during the visit, Walport said: “There are big opportunities for the UK to become a more prosperous and secure society by reducing our waste and by harvesting the value from the waste that we do produce.
“Science and innovation in areas such as product design and smart recycling are transforming the way we use products and services enabling us to improve both our economy and environment in ways that previous generations could not.
“This visit has provided valuable insights for a report I will publish later this year which explores how the UK can move from creating waste to managing and valuing resources more effectively.”
Cutting-edge science
The visit was one of Coffey’s first since taking up her role during Theresa May’s governmental reshuffle, and commenting on the upcoming report into the potential of waste she said: “Making the most of our resources is hugely important. We have made great progress reducing waste to landfill and increasing our recycling rates, but more can be done, on an individual and community level.
“Our waste sector is world leading with great examples of bold innovation… cutting edge science and engineering can play a vital role helping us protect our environment and grow our economy.”
