News Category: State of the Waste Industry
Defra Aims for a Zero Waste Nation
18 November 2009
In October, Environment Minister Hilary Benn announced the Government's intentions to build a “Zero Waste Nation” where people can do the right thing with their waste whether at work, home or on the move. Mr Benn said: • England should more than halve the amount of waste going to landfill in the next 10 years; • In ten years time 75 per cent of household waste will either be recycled or used for energy; • Six new Zero Waste Places in parts of Shropshire, Dorchester, Brixton, Newham, Hoxton and Suffolk will be created; • A new Zero Waste Places Standard for Local Authorities will be drafted; • Research shows it is possible to divert 500,000 tonnes of household waste per year through re-use; Following the seminar, Defra will launch a new public campaign to encourage people to reduce and reuse the waste they create, as well as recycle. In 2010, Defra will consult on what recyclable and compostable items should be banned from landfill and how a ban will work, so that the UK can exclude the most climate damaging substances from landfill by 2020 at the latest. More information is available on the Defra website here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/091013a.htm | 
