Financial Incentives for Waste Reduction in the UK:

Runako Charles, Taunton

Overview
UK compared to other EU member states Landfill, incineration & recycling Revenue Neutral Schemes Incentive Based Schemes
* Benefits * Disbenefits

UK proposals

Percentage Total Waste in the UK (2006)

Landfill 63%
Recycle 27%
Incineration 10%

UK sends more wastes to landfills & recycles less than most EU member states

Percentage of annual waste

Ir e
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 0

Lu xe m bo G m ar k u rg er m an y A u st ri a S N p et a U h n er in it la ed n ds K in g do m Fr an ce It al y S w ed en P o rt u ga l Fi n la n d B el g iu m G re ec e

D en d

la n

Recycling in the EU 15 countries

Series1

UK compared to other EU member states

The EU is sending less waste to landfill However, the UK disposed of 63% of waste via landfill

Landfill
Established approach in dealing with waste. 9 yrs capacity left. Emits CO2, CH4 (GHG). Landfill tax to increase by 8/t pa from 20082011.

Incineration Recycling
Spatial Efficiency. Produces usable heat energy. Emits CO2. Ash Mgt. Produces dioxins. Uses limited resources effectively Uses less energy than making more products from raw materials. Some pollution in making new items.

Why Incentivise?
The Local Government Association said action was needed because Britain was now "the dustbin of Europe".
BUT

The government will not consider extending these so-called "pay-as-you-throw" measures across England until the evidence from the pilots is assessed
BBC -http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7464279.stm

Revenue Neutral Schemes

Aim: to financially incentivise householders to recycle and reduce waste. Revenue from penalties taken from non-recyclers must be returned as incentives to recyclers. Nature of scheme decided by Local Authority which would work best. Recognises householders who reduce, reuse and recycle and provides an incentive, to those who do not, to change their behaviour. Communication is essential to scheme success.

Incentive Based Schemes : Flanders

Flanders: Weight based Outline Variable charging according to weight of residual waste Transponder or chip identifies bin Bins weighed on collection Householders billed accordingly (70 pa for high recyclers, 180 pa for non-recyclers 24-28 kg /inhabitant p.a. less waste Recycling 72% of total household waste Total amount of household waste comparable with the UK UK 28% recycling

Improvements in waste management Comparison with UK

Possible issues for UK

Effective fly-tipping policies needed In high rise blocks it is difficult to know who is responsible for waste Concerns of neighbours dumping waste (locks made available in Flanders)

Incentive Based Schemes : Treviso

Treviso: Frequency based Outline Direct variable rate charging system, according to number of collections. Informatic instruments to manage for collection of waste. Average charge is 50 12% in waste reduction Unknown Fly-tipping (Treviso introduced a specific waste officer). Funding for proposed scheme. Local Government Authorities / Private companies? People may complain about increase nuisances (smell)

Improvements in waste management Comparison with UK Possible issues for UK

Incentive Based Schemes : Maastricht

Maastricht: Volume based Outline Householders buy special sacks from local shops. 1 per sack. Sacks then collected. Similar Belgian scheme provides 40 free sacs to households with new babies. Waste separated recycling increased from 45% to 65%. Municipal waste bill has been reduced by 20%. Maastricht has 57,450 households which is small compared to most UK cities. Solid bins for sacs to prevent destruction by urban foxes. Difficult for rural pensioners to access shops to buy bags.

Improvements in waste management Comparison with UK Possible issues for UK

Initial Revenue Neutral Situation (Proposed model)

Disbenefits.
Financial incentives may be useful in some but not all local authorities. Authorities would not be able to raise money from the scheme they have to be able to fully fund the costs of the schemes out of annual cost savings. The administration of the schemes is complex, there has to be markets for increasing levels of recyclables and it has to be successfully enforced. Need a system in place to monitor waste levels before, during and after the scheme to assess effectiveness. Monitor fly tipping.