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Government Response to the Strategy Unit Report Waste not, Want not
The Government's response in full, which includes a timetable for action, can be located at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/review/strategyunit_response.pdf
SU Recommendation 1: local authorities to have the freedom to charge and take forward other incentive schemes to reduce waste volumes and increase recycling
Government's: response: further work is required before any decision will be taking on changing the legislation to allow local authorities to charge. The Government will work with the LGA and other partners to consider the practicalities of charging schemes and how potential disadvantages might be overcome.
SU Recommendation 2: Greater use of voluntary agreements with industry.
The Government has rejected the SU target of two new agreements per year to measure progress. Effectively, the Government's response signals that it is not planning to require the separate collection of household hazardous waste. However, it does insist that it will look over the next 12 months at the scope for a voluntary agreement to increase the recycling of waste consumer batteries and examine the case for voluntary agreements for other hazardous elements in the household waste stream
SU Recommendation 3: Consider Options for increasing incentives for the reuse of goods
The Government's response indicates that in the short term it is not planning to introduce new incentives, relying on the WEEE and ELV Directives to promote greater reuse and stating its intention to discuss the scope for further action with bodies such as WRAP. The Government will commission a study into deposit-refund schemes.
SU Recommendation 4: Consider the case for applying incentives to encourage environmentally friendly products
The Government has announced no new action and refers to its strategy "Tax and the Environment" published as part of Budget 2002.
SU Recommendation 5: DTI should work with relevant bodies to assess what more can be achieved through the use of BSI Standards
The Government has accepted the recommendation and suggests that two options will be considered in the first instance: 1) establishing short-term guidelines for the drafting of new standards to ensure future standards do not create barriers, 2) carry out a formal review of standards as presenting barriers.
SU Recommendation 6: ODPM should revise the building regulations to require space for easily accessible recycling points for new housing developments with more than 50 houses
The Government does not believe any action is necessary replying that this recommendation is already in place through the Building Regulations and has in fact been exceeded. Last year ESA said that the Government should go further in amending Building Regulations and require, where appropriate, recycled material to be used in the construction of new buildings.
SU Recommendation 7: Targets for the use of recycled materials by Government and a trained green procurement officer for each Department
The Government accepts the principle of this recommendation but does not agree to set targets. Instead, the Govt focuses on providing guidance to inform government procurement.
SU Recommendation 8: To consider setting voluntary environmental procurement targets for local authorities
The Government does not accept that it should set voluntary targets for local government but encourages local authorities to set their own targets. The Government intends to rely on the work of the Local Government Improvement and Development Agency (IDEA) on sustainable procurement to provide sources of advice and support for local authorities on green procurement.
SU Recommendation 9: New targets for local authorities that incorporate success in reducing volumes of waste
The Government accepts that the BVPIs for waste should be reviewed to ensure that that they set the right incentives for local government to reduce waste. The Government seeks to change (not increase) the indicators only "where a strong case can be made". The Government will consider the levers local authorities have for reducing waste and whether waste reduction targets would be effective. It appears that these targets would not be statutory.
The Government does not intend to change the 2005/06 statutory recycling and composting targets. However, the Government comments, "we recognise that national recycling rates higher than the current targets are both possible and desirable." The Government will review in 2004 the national recycling targets in light of progress made on 2003/04 BVPI recycling standard.
SU Recommendation 10: DEFRA should continue to encourage the development of quality standards for compost
The Government refers to the work WRAP has undertaken and does not announce new proposals.
SU Recommendation 11: Increase in landfill tax to £35 per tonne
The Government has reiterated its decision of Budget 2003 and does not indicate further when Landfill Tax is likely to reach £35 per tonne.
SU Recommendation 12: DEFRA and DTI to consider the case for a ban on landfilling of recyclable products in 2006/07
The Government comments that it wishes to avoid bans and would prefer for more flexible options to have been exhausted. A ban will be considered in 2006/07 based on progress in market development and recycling rates.
SU Recommendation 13: Guidance from the Government to magistrates to support more prosecutions for waste crimes
The Government accepts this recommendation and refers to its work with the Magistrates Association.
SU Recommendation 14: Review the Case for an Incineration Tax
The Government refers only to its review of the environmental and health effects of all waste disposal and management options. The case for a tax will be considered in light of this work and in consultation with relevant bodies.
SU Recommendation 15: An independent body to bring together evidence on relative health effects of all the different waste management options
The Government refers to its review of the environmental and health effects of all waste disposal and management options.
SU Recommendations 16,17,18: WRAP should take forward four measures to reduce waste, provide advice to local authorities on kerbside collection infrastructure, and promote education and awareness of waste
WRAP will take forward a number of waste minimisation schemes: a) a home composting scheme to increase the number of households carrying out home composting and to promote the effectiveness of composting carried out; b) a scheme to promote re-use of nappies; c) an initiative with top retailers to reduce the amount of waste entering the waste stream from supermarket purchased products; d) an innovation fund aimed at identifying and developing innovative approaches to waste minimisation.
WRAP will set up a kerbside taskforce (the Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team -ROTATE) to work with local authorities to help maximise the potential of kerbside collection for all materials, particularly biodegradable organics
WRAP will implement an education and awareness campaign at a national and local level.
SU Recommendation 19: Expand the role of Envirowise to cover 20% of UK companies over the next two years
The Government is considering the case for additional expenditure. The Government appears to favour funding this from the increased revenue generated by the Landfill Tax paid by business.
SU Recommendation 20: DEFRA and EA should jointly draw up a data and research strategy for the next three years to identify key data gaps.
The Govt accepts this recommendation.
SU Recommendation 21: DEFRA and DTI should take forward a programme of advice and development of new technologies including pilots for emerging technologies
In conjunction with the Environment Agency, DEFRA will take forward four work programmes to promote the implementation of waste management technologies as an alternative to landfill.
SU Recommendation 22: The Challenge Fund should be retained with consideration given to opening up the funds to bids from the private sector
The Government has already decided that a Waste Management Performance Fund should replace the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund. The Government will consult with representatives of local government before announcing details on the operation of the fund. The Government does not accept the case for the private sector to be able to bid for funds.
SU Recommendation 23: DEFRA should accelerate the current programme of work to improve delivery of PFI
The Government believes that it already has a programme in place to meet this recommendation through the Waste PFI Delivery Panel and is developing two additional tools: a waste PFI procurement toolkit and desktop guidance for DEFRA assessors.
SU Recommendation 24: Reform the LTCS
The Pre-Budget Report 2002 announced the changes to the LTCS.
SU Recommendation 25: HMT, DEFRA and other government departments should consider how landfill tax revenue might best be redirected to incentivise investment in reduction, re-use and recycling
Decisions on how the increases in the landfill tax are revenue neutral for business will be announced in the 2003 Pre-Budget Report. Decisions on how the increases in landfill tax will be made revenue neutral to local government will be announced following consultation with local government.
SU Recommendation 26: Strengthening of waste function within DEFRA
The Government does not make available additional funding commenting that it is looking at the situation. The Government refers to its proposals resulting from Recommendation 28
SU Recommendation 27: A review should be undertaken to look at merits of concentrating waste policy in one Department
The Cabinet Office will carry out a review and report by the end of December 2003.
SU Recommendation 28: A Delivery taskforce should be set up to fill the gaps between national policy and local plans
The Government is in the process of setting up the taskforce which will comprise a local authority support "nerve centre", a team of regional advisors and a pool of support specialists. The "nerve centre" will help local authorities with their recycling strategies and provide targeted advice to local authorities on specific issues. Alongside the Taskforce, a funding team will be responsible for the implementation of programmes that deliver additional funding from Government.
SU Recommendation 29: More resources made available to WRAP
The Government agrees that WRAP's role should be extended as recommended by the Strategy Unit and agrees to provide additional funding.
SU Recommendation 30: A joint government-industry forum should be established
The Government agrees with this recommendation and has pledged to make an announcement on its composition and role by autumn 2003.
SU Recommendation 31: DEFRA and ODPM should carry out a joint review to establish whether further fiscal incentives are needed to encourage local authorities and tiers of authorities to work together more effectively
The Government notes the requirement of the Waste and Emissions and Trading Bill for joint municipal waste strategies to be prepared by poor performing WCAs and WDAs. The Government is considering whether further measures will be needed and will announce its decision in autumn 2003.
SU Recommendation 32: ODPM and DEFRA should discuss and revise PPG10 as a priority to ensure all required facilities for recycling and residual waste management can proceed
The revision of PPG10 will start this year and consideration will be given to the need to strengthen existing advice. The Government accepts that further guidance might be necessary on delivering greater demarcation between the planning and permitting regimes. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill would set statutory timescales for plan preparation and review. The Government does not consider that Plans should be required to identify sites, although it appears they might be inclined to strengthen their advice on this issue.
SU Recommendation 33: A high level Steering Group, chaired by a senior external figure and reporting to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs should be set up to drive forward the recommendations in this report
The Government accepts this recommendation and has started to set up the group.
SU Recommendation 34: ODPM and DEFRA should ensure that Best Value Indicators support waste reduction and recycling
The Government refers to the Waste and Emissions Trading Bill.
Annex C Recommendations
a) Hazardous Waste
The Government comments that the Hazardous Waste Forum will play an important role
b) Fly-tipping
The Anti-Social Behaviour Bill will require data returns to be made by the EA and local authorities on the number and types of fly-tipping incidents.
c) Commercial and Industrial Waste
The Government does not believe that waste exchanges are the best way to increase awareness of waste by commercial and industrial waste producers.
May 2003 
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