Consultation on the Waste Prevention Programme for England

Overview

Prior to finalising the Waste Prevention Programme for England the Government is seeking views on the proposed vision, priorities, metrics and roles which aim to reduce the amount of waste produced across the economy. The findings from this exercise will be used to inform the final Programme, which will be published along with a summary of evidence by the end of 2013. The Devolved Administrations are developing their own Waste Prevention Programmes which will be published separately.

The scope of the Programme includes material waste produced within England.  The Programme aims to protect the environment and human health by preventing or reducing the adverse impacts of the generation and management of waste, by reducing the overall impacts of resource use and improving the efficiency of such use. Preventing excess waste from arising delivers environmental, economic and social benefits, and is key to moving towards a more sustainable economy. Waste prevention in England can also help to reduce wider impacts (carbon and water footprints or global impacts e.g. where products are manufactured overseas), but these benefits are not specific aims of the Programme.

Defra has been carrying out primary research on waste prevention since 2005, including two reviews synthesising the international evidence base, first on household waste prevention (2010) and more recently on business waste prevention (2012).  This work fed into the Call for Evidence, published in March, that set out our understanding of available data and other insights on the current situation, together with barriers to reducing waste arisings in England through waste prevention, repair and reuse activities.  This information, along with the responses we received and other views provided to Defra, has been used to inform this consultation. Within this consultation (below), a range of potential roles and actions are presented. These primarily aim to galvanise action by businesses, local authorities and others who can realise the benefits achievable as a result of preventing waste. Some are for delivery in the short to medium term whilst others will be for consideration over a longer time frame.

A number of questions which seek views on the proposed role of different actors or organisations are included.

This consultation is addressed to individuals and organisations that have an interest in greater resource efficiency, reducing the amount of waste being produced across the economy and reusing waste when it arises. Interested parties range from consumer representatives, environmental organisations and local government through to industry representatives, trade associations and waste management organisations. Consultees may choose to contribute to and address only those questions that are most relevant to them and their activities.