Sustainability: IWFM responds to government consultation on consistency in recycling collections

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On behalf of our members, we recently submitted a response to the public consultation on consistency in household and business recycling in England. The consultation will prepare the ground for new legislation which will form part of the Government’s commitment to move towards a circular economy and net zero emissions.

IWFM supports the Government’s wider aims of raising recycling levels, increasing the quantity and quality of recycled materials, and reducing what is sent for energy recovery or to landfill and the subsequent greenhouse gas emissions.

We believe that the workplace and facilities management profession has an important role to play in contributing towards greater recycling rates and ensuring that the circular economy becomes business as usual. Therefore, our response supported the Government’s strategic direction and the objectives of the consultation, particularly around the definition of recyclable waste materials in order to eliminate confusion and provide greater clarity for those involved in waste management.

However, whilst we had anticipated the consultation for some time, we suggested that now is not the time to consider some of the detailed proposals or the timescales for their implementation, given the huge changes brought about by the coronavirus pandemic in the way that we work and live.

In our submission we argued that new ways of working - the extent, permanence and impact of which are unknown - will greatly influence the volume of waste generated in business premises (and accordingly in households). Given this uncertainty, we do not believe that decisions over resources and waste infrastructure should be taken now, as they could vary significantly in the near future.

We also suggested that many businesses, especially SMEs and micro-businesses, are fully focused on their post-pandemic recovery and may not be in a position to fully consider the consultation proposals and provide insight which would help to inform future government policy and legislation.

We would like to thank Ann Beavis, Head of Sustainable Development at Crown Workspace and member of our Sustainability SIG, for her invaluable input and help in compiling our consultation response.

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