Last week, DEFRA launched an updated consultation to establish legally binding targets on water quality and biodiversity. However, Andrew Olie, director at the Monksleigh waste management consulting, noticed that evidence relating a recycling goal was missing from the page 28 of the document. Consultancy documentWas missing.
The evidence refers specifically to the proposals to reduce residual trash by 50% by 2042, starting at 2019 levels.
Olie contacted DEFRA, and was informed that although the consultation was underway, the evidence was still not available.
A spokesperson from DEFRA said: “The evidence packs and impact assessments to accompany the consultation are large and complex so are undergoing final assurance before being published. The underpinning material will form a key part of the consultation, so we want to make sure it is clear so it can best inform our engagement and consultation feedback.”
Olie expressed concerns that the missing documents could lead to a “sense of flux” in the industry.
He told ENDS: “DEFRA has launched a consultation in a time limited response window without the evidence to support it – I’m not sure how any party can genuinely comment on it without such evidence being available?
“The consultation makes explicit acknowledgement of a move to a 70% to 75% recycling rate of municipal solid waste (MSW) in order to achieve the objective in the consultation document,” he said.
“Those against further Energy from Waste (EfW) infrastructure will clearly suggest that no further EfW infrastructure should be developed until the consultation and targets are finalised,” added Olie.
“For those developing and investing it will also lead to them potentially being left in a state of flux, unless they take a view that the target is aspirational and with no substance to underpin its delivery.”
A Defra spokesperson said:“Our recent consultation on implementing due diligence on forest risk commodities underlined the Government’s intention to lay secondary legislation at the earliest opportunity to capture significant drivers of deforestation. We will be publishing a summary of responses shortly.”
