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Local authority waste management

Local authorities are responsible for waste collection and disposal, and related activities such as street cleansing. This page brings together links to information that is directly relevant to local authority waste management officers.

Controlled Waste Regulations, Schedule 2

Defra is currently reviewing Schedule 2 of the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992.

Background

Schedule 2 of the Controlled Waste Regulations (CWR) allows Waste Collection Authorities to charge for the collection of certain types of household waste.  ‘Household waste’ is defined in the Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA), and includes waste from some non-domestic sources, such as schools, hospitals and camp sites.

The cost of collecting and disposing of household waste from domestic properties is covered by the council tax. Schedule 2 of the CWR was originally designed to allow Waste Collection Authorities to recoup the costs of collecting household waste that requires special handling, for example because it is dangerous, bulky or produced in larger amounts than is normal for a domestic household.

The CWR no longer fulfill their intended function, because the costs of disposing of waste are rising, and there is no provision in either the CWR or the EPA to allow waste collection authorities to charge disposal costs.

Progress to date

All Local Authorities were invited to participate in a research study into the scale of the issue.  The final report of this study will be published at the end of October 2009.

Defra have held informal bilateral discussions with a number of stakeholders and other government departments.  We have set up a Steering Group with representatives from national government, local authorities and Schedule 2 customers. On 7th September 2009, we held a workshop for stakeholders to explain why we’re doing this review, our findings so far and to ask those who will be affected by changes to help us develop options for public consultation.

Coming up

Please note that our timetable of work is frequently revised in response to advice from stakeholders and the Steering Group. 

We will be trying to ensure that each workshop has a good mix of stakeholders, so may restrict the number of attendees from any one organisation.

  • January / February 2010 - Publication of a consultation package on options to amend the legislation. This is expected to be for the standard 12-week period.
  • May 2010 - We will work up the most viable option for change in the light of consultation responses, and anticipate publishing our response to the consultation in June 2010.

If the preferred option requires new secondary legislation, we would expect to be able to introduce this on 1 October 2010, as this is the earliest Common Commencement Date for new legislation following the end of this review.

If primary legislation is required this will require identifying a suitable legislative opportunity and the timetable is likely to be significantly longer.

If you have any comments on this review please contact us at CWRConsultation@defra.gsi.gov.uk

Recycling bins in public places

Recycle on the Go - bins in public places (Good Practice Guide and Code of Practice) - 2 June 2008

Guidance

Incentives for recycling by households

The Climate Change Bill provides powers for up to five local authorities to pilot incentives schemes for household waste minimisation and recycling. Draft guidance for informal comment has been issued:

London

On 13 July 2006, the Government announced the outcome of its review of the powers and responsibilities of the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority. As part of that review, Government considered whether there was a case for change for the governance of waste management in London.

Consultants KPMG were commissioned to inform government of the options on future governance and structure of London's waste management. Please see full reports below:

SLR Consulting Ltd in association with Land Use Consulting Ltd were commisioned by Defra to analyse the consultation responses relating to waste management and waste plannng issues in London:

See also the original consultation:

Page last modified: 22 October 2009
Page published: 5 February 2003