The Chair of North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has today (20 June) responded to the Government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, urging stronger action to support recycling and build a truly circular economy.
Reflecting on the publication of the government’s 10-year Infrastructure Strategy, NLWA Chair, Cllr Clyde Loakes MBE said:
“It is positive that the government’s 10-year infrastructure strategy recognises the need to decarbonise waste, yet the absence of new commitments that will realise this is a disappointment.
“In particular, the strategy misses an opportunity to address the lack of recycling and reprocessing infrastructure for soft plastics which, as of 2027, local authorities will be required to collect as part of Simpler Recycling. Existing collections for soft plastics, for example through supermarket take-back schemes, often result in significant quantities of material going to energy from waste rather than being recycled. It is imperative that we do not see the same outcome for Simpler Recycling and action must be taken to stimulate demand and build capacity.
“Further, if the government is truly committed to circularity, a clear pathway to developing recycling infrastructure for challenging materials – such as nappies and mattresses – should be considered. An approach to scaling reuse and repair infrastructure is also needed. Here at NLWA, our community fund supports innovative circular initiatives - the UK’s first electrical repair voucher scheme as well as repair and food waste cafés - but we cannot expect this kind of activity to become the norm without the requisite physical infrastructure.
“We appreciate that the strategy will be reviewed every two years, and we will continue to press the government to create ambitious infrastructure and the necessary capacity to create a truly circular economy.”
