Michael Gove wants weekly food waste collections and simplified recycling – what does this mean for West Sussex?

This week the Government launched a series of consultations to overhaul the waste system across the UK.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A key initiative is that councils would be obliged to provide separate weekly food waste collections for every household in England – something West Sussex residents who have lost, or are losing, their weekly waste collection service may be very happy to hear.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Under the initiative councils would be obliged to provide separate weekly food waste collectionsUnder the initiative councils would be obliged to provide separate weekly food waste collections
Under the initiative councils would be obliged to provide separate weekly food waste collections

The Government also wants to ‘end confusion over household recycling’ – creating a consistent set of recyclable materials which will be collected from all households and businesses, as well as consistent labelling on packaging so consumers know what they can recycle.

On top of this, environment secretary Michael Gove is looking at the possibility of free garden waste collections for households, seeking views on the idea of introducing a ‘deposit return scheme’ for cans and bottles, as well as launching a consultation on the introduction of a tax on plastic packaging which does not meet a minimum threshold of at least 30 per cent recycled content.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Gove said: “We are committed to going further and faster to reduce, reuse, recycle and cut waste. That’s why we are leading the way to move away from being a ‘throw-away’ society and drive up domestic recycling.

Environment secretary Michael Gove - Picture: NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty ImagesEnvironment secretary Michael Gove - Picture: NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images
Environment secretary Michael Gove - Picture: NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images

“Through our plans we will introduce a world-leading tax to boost recycled content in plastic packaging, make producers foot the bill for handling their packaging waste, and end the confusion over household recycling.

“We are committed to cementing our place as a world leader in resource efficiency, so we can be the first generation to leave our environment in a better state than we inherited it.”

The changes will make up a key part of the government’s upcoming Environment Bill.

What does this mean for our local councils?

Would you like to see weekly food waste collections?Would you like to see weekly food waste collections?
Would you like to see weekly food waste collections?
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

When the idea for separate weekly food waste collections and disposing of garden waste for free was first mentioned a week before Christmas, the newspaper asked the various district and borough councils what they thought, with many saying they were waiting for further clarity and detail.

Read the original article here:

Food waste collections could be rolled out across West Sussex under Government strategy

However, a spokesman for Adur and Worthing councils said: “Obviously we await more detail on the proposals and particularly how some of this programme might be funded given ever decreasing central government grants to local authorities but ever increasing demand for local public services.”

Now, under the new strategy, Mr Gove this week revealed a bit more about how he plans to fund the scheme, stating he hopes to finance more regular collections by demanding that manufacturers pay for them.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is hoped that by switching the burden of cost over to producers it will encourage them to use sustainable packaging.

The scheme could then raise between £800 million and £1 billion a year for recycling as well as for rubbish collection.

Could we follow in the footsteps of Lewes District Council?

Currently Lewes District Council is the only local authority in Sussex which provides residents with a free weekly food waste collection service, transforming the area’s recycling performance.

Join in the consultation

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Government is running the consultation for 12 weeks, with the closing date on May 13.

Links to the consultations are below: