CIWM today welcomed the launch of the Industrial Strategy White Paper and within it references to a range of issues of deep concern to our sector.
CEO Dr Colin Church says “CIWM was looking for the Industrial Strategy White Paper to recognise the role improving resource productivity can play in helping the UK economy meet the challenges it faces. The ambition to double resource productivity by 2050, along with the existing commitment to zero avoidable waste by the same time, are clear signs the Government is starting to hear this message.
“Of course, in common with many others we would have liked to see more detail, but it is reassuring to see the commitment to cover this in more depth in the forthcoming 25-year environment plan and the resource and waste management strategy reinforced. These are shaping up to be absolutely key documents for our sector and the wider environment and we look forward to seeing how Government intends to make a reality of its desire to ‘strengthen the markets for secondary raw materials’.
“As an organisation focused on its members and learners, we are delighted to see People recognised as a foundation of the Strategy and look forward to working with Government and employers to support skills and people development in our sector.
The ambition to double resource productivity by 2050, along with the existing commitment to zero avoidable waste by the same time, are clear signs the Government is starting to hear this message
The focus on Place as another of the five foundations is also an element CIWM called for in its response to the Green Paper. Better planning for waste and waste-derived resources around the country, especially to provide sufficient capacity of the right kind in the right place to support local economic development, is a key ask. The economic and low carbon benefits of secondary resources derived from waste could be better realised and exploited in local economic development planning.
“We are also happy to see the acknowledgement of the role good data will play in the future, and the link with exploring the potential from electronic waste tracking such as the eDoc system”, continues Dr Church. “Knowing what material is where will help open up innovative possibilities and will also help us tackle the scourge of waste crime.”
CIWM’s Green Paper response can be found here.
