| 04 September 2006
A report from waste watch on how government funds for recycling could be allocated. The government's waste strategy 2000 has meant that local authorities must now meet statutory targets for recycling. following the strategic spending review, the government announced that increased funding would be available for recycling. A £140 million waste minimisation and recycling fund was allocated to local authorities for recycling. It was also announced that a further £49.5 million would be earmarked for community sector recycling from the new opportunities fund. In total, nearly £190 million was to be made available to fund recycling and help meet, and ultimately exceed, the waste strategy targets.This waste watch project focussed on investigating how these funds could best be allocated across local authorities and what process of allocation should be used. It considered what would be the most effective use of the monies to raise recycling rates as much as possible and to provide guidance for local authorities in how best to do this. The document no waste of money provides an insight into the discussions taking place surrounding the funding allocation, and helps to shed some urgently needed light on how to best meet the tight deadlines for reaching the targets.
In addition to the two government funds, the research also considered the landfill tax credit scheme, public service agreement funds and packaging compliance schemes, amongst others. As these amount to significant levels of funding, it is important that they are spent strategically to ensure they provide cost-effective and efficient results. No waste of money will form the basis of the waste watch response to the current government consultation on the £140 million waste minimisation and recycling fund.
No waste of money is available free of charge from the waste watch website, www.wastewatch.org.uk, under research and policy.
This project was funded by biffaward and the local authority recycling advisory committee.
the research was undertaken by dr dominic hogg of eunomia research and consulting.