UK Household Waste Predicted to Double by 2020

LONDON, UK, November 29, 2002 (ENS) - Without urgent action England's municipal waste will double in volume by 2020, according to a new report from the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit released today. England produces more waste per person than many other European Union nations and recycles less.

Proposed solutions include allowing local councils reward schemes to encourage more householders to reduce waste and recycle more.

Prime Minister Tony Blair (Photo courtesy Office of the Prime Minister)

The Strategy Unit's report "shows clearly that a different approach to waste management will pay both economic and environmental dividends," Blair said.

The report, "Waste Not, Want Not," sets out a series of practical and cost effective measures for putting waste management in England on a more environmentally sustainable path.

The possible doubling of waste in volume by 2020 could cost £3.2 billion (US$4.9 billion) per year to dispose of - twice as much in real terms as is spent now to handle waste.

Rubbish bags pile up on the streets of England's cities. (Two photos courtesy Freefoto)

Another tax measure proposed is reform of the Landfill Tax Credit to fund programs to encourage waste reduction.

The strategy envisions that local councils would be able to use discounts and reward schemes to encourage greater numbers of householders to reduce waste and recycle more.

Curbside recycling would get a boost, and the government is seeking development of a wider range of options for waste management.

Rubbish is stuffed into a dog waste container

The strategy group proposes increasing re-use of items that are now discarded through a variety of pilot schemes such as bottle and container returns, and the resale of refurbished appliances.

In London, unwanted domestic fridges and freezers are collected free of charge from city residents. Whenever possible they are refurbished and supplied to low income households. Otherwise they are scrapped for metal recovery after the chlorofluorocarbons from the cooling system has been extracted.