Annex C: Guidance on the Waste Minimisation Act 1998
The Waste Minimisation Act, which became law in November 1998, allows a local authority to "do or arrange for the doing of, anything which in its opinion is necessary or expedient for the purpose of minimising the quantities of controlled waste, or controlled waste of any description, generated in its area".
The intention behind the Act, which was promoted by the Women's Environmental Network, was to clear up any legislative uncertainty about whether councils could actually carry out initiatives to reduce the amount of waste (as opposed to recycle it).
The Act does not place any obligation on authorities to carry out such initiatives, nor does it allow councils to impose any requirements on businesses or householders in their area. Existing legislation does however allow authorities to determine both the form of collection and the receptacle from which rubbish is collected.
Authorities may wish to consider what simple measures they could take. These can be straightforward such as:
- Raising awareness about how to stop direct mail (for example through the Mailing Preference Service). The Government is also working on a direct mail and promotions initiative which will also look at reduction;
- Promoting the use of refill schemes and encouraging the use of organic box schemes, farm shops, farmers markets, ordinary markets and smaller markets which all help to reduce packaging;
- Publicising local community schemes that recycle/reuse furniture and household goods, bicycles, computers and tools;
- Working with those who have consumer information obligations under the Packaging Regulations (e.g. large retailers and schemes on behalf of retailers) to develop information on reduction, reuse and recycling for consumers.
DETR commissioned research from Babtie into pilot schemes on incentives for householders to reduce and recycle waste. As a result four workbooks have been produced which set out guidance for authorities interested in running such schemes. The areas covered are:
- performance rewards – the householder receives some sort of financial payback or voucher proportional to the reduction in waste;
- supermarket reward scheme – customers receive points on their loyalty cards or vouchers for products in exchange for recycling materials in the bring back schemes;
- prizes for recycling – a competition is held where participating householders have the chance to win a prize;
- intensive education – an intensive education programme to promote participation in waste reduction and recycling schemes.
The Department will be publishing the workbooks on its web-site during summer 2001.
See also Section 5.3.
The following case studies highlight initiatives that some local authorities are already undertaking. Not all of these initiatives have taken place directly because of the Act, but they highlight what can be done.
Published 13 March 2001
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