Defra outlines waste evidence programme
Defra today outlined a waste and resources evidence programme to help deliver the Government’s ambitious waste policies.
The Waste and Resources Evidence Strategy 2007-2011 summarises the key areas where research will be commissioned and evidence sought over the next few years. The programme will inform delivery of the Government’s Waste Strategy for England 2007, published in May, which set out priorities on waste prevention, minimisation, recycling, recovery, and energy production.
Among the many areas to be addressed are:
- how to best measure the carbon impacts of waste prevention and management;
- how the Flycapture database can help identify the drivers for flytipping and effective ways of tackling it;
- whether there is a link between waste behaviour and age, income, or other social factors;
- whether producer responsibility gives the right incentives for product design and waste prevention, re-use and recycling;
- what the environmental impacts are of biodegradable and degradable packaging;
- what collection methods lead to high quality recyclates, and whether high collection costs are offset by environmental benefits; and
- what has caused recent observations of a slowing in waste growth rates and how do we continue to support this trend.
This is the second Defra waste and resources research programme. Since its inception in 2004 over 80 projects have been generated, with a budget of up to £5m a year.
The new programme has been produced in consultation with stakeholders and will help to ensure that Defra’s waste and resources policies are evidence based, not evidence backed.
Further information
Page published: 19 September 2007