Defra launches consultation on local authority non-household waste collections

The current Controlled Waste Regulations place a duty on local authorities to collect waste from certain non-household establishments such as prisons, schools and hospitals.  In theory, they can only charge for collection but not for disposal, even if they utilise a commercial waste managent contractor.

Defra issued a Consultation with proposals to amend the Controilled Waste Regulations to enable Local Authorities to treat non-household establishments in the same way as other commercial premises.

The main proposals - to be applied to England and Wales - are as follows:

• To reclassify camp site, caravan, self catering, charity, meeting place, Royal Palaces and GP surgeries waste as 'commercial'.
• To reclassify certain waste as commercial for charging purposes, but not for reporting or the claiming of recycling credits purposes. This would include litter, waste from schools and other educational establishments, hospitals, nursing homes, residential homes and penal institutions.
• To retain local authorities' discretion over charging.
• To retain local authorities' duty to collect, if requested.
• To introduce these new provisions from April 2011, but for disposal charging not to come into force until April 2012.

The consultation closed on 14 January 2011. Details will be updated when DEFRA announce the results.

 Source

• Five North East Councils join forces to increase recycling
• Waste Policy Review - June 2011
• SURVEY SHOWS OVER 2 MILLION TONNES OF COMMERICAL AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE ARE A VALUABLE RESOURCE TO THE REGION

• NERF Annual Conference 2011