Talks were held between the EA, the ESA, and Minister Therese Coffee, MP, on strengthening ties to raise standards across the sector and tackle waste crime.
Waste management businesses handling refuse derived fuel and other materials could have to show they have sufficient funds in the bank before they are allowed to operate, under proposals being put forward by the UK’s waste management industry trade association.
The need for sufficient financial resources is one aspect of a set of measures being developed by the trade body the Environmental Services Association (ESA) working with the Environment Agency.
In a joint statement this week on tackling waste crime, they said they are working towards measures regarding the financial status of businesses who may abandon waste.
The pair said the aim is to “increase the focus on an operator’s financial ability to meet its environmental obligations to reduce the cases of this happening in the future”.
And, there is also to be a focus on improving the “technical competence” of the waste sector, by working with the Agency and Defra.
The ESA said it was focusing on these measures in response to the “growing threat both to the environment and also to the reputation of our industry” of abandoned waste at sites where the operator cannot afford to move the waste material or has gone into administration.
Minister
The partnership was announced following talks between the EA, the ESA, and Minister Therese Coffee, MP, on strengthening ties to raise standards across the sector and tackle waste crime.
Harvey Bradshaw of the EA, said: “The aim of the new partnership is to utilise the industry’s technical expertise to assist the development of effective regulation so the EA can focus its resources where they will have the biggest impact.”
The partnership will focus on refreshing the EA’s approach to regulation, introducing a system of earned recognition (potentially replacing the Operational Risk Appraisal system) and sharing intelligence and tacking action against waste crime.
Worst offenders
Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: “We want to work with responsible operators to deliver more targeted regulations but also focus our resources on hitting the worst offenders which is good news for legitimate businesses, the economy and local communities.
“In addition, a more proactive approach to duty of care will plug weaknesses in the supply chain and prevent waste from leaking into the hands of criminals.”
Companies abandoning waste are a factor in the call for tougher financial measures
Dr Stewart Davies, ESA Chairman said: “At a time when waste crime seems more entrenched than ever, it is vital that the regulator is able to trust ESA Members to do the right thing and focus its resources on criminals and poor performing operators.
“The industry is an excellent source of technical expertise which will be made available to help the Agency deliver its objectives.”
Light touch
Earlier this year, the Cabinet Office suggested that businesses should take on more of the cost of regulation in their Regulatory Futures Review, so that businesses that ‘do the right thing’ should be regulated with a very light touch.
The review said: “Putting the costs of regulation on the regulated will incentivise them to find more efficient ways of meeting regulatory requirements and reduce the internal costs of the regulated in dealing with the regulators.”
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
