Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment, Rebecca Pow MP, has paid tribute to all working in “such challenging times to protect the environment, local amenity and people’s health”.
In a letter to the waste a sector, Minister Rebecca Pow said she wanted to thank those working in the waste business through one of the “greatest health challenges we have faced in a generation”.
Workers in the waste sector may not get the headlines that other workers do during this challenging time, but I want you to know that you are not forgotten within Government.
Recognising the sector as providing a “vital service”, the letter sends thanks to those “keeping waste moving”, those working in recycling centres, treatment plants, energy recovery centres and disposal sites, despite all the challenges that Coronavirus brings.
The Environment Secretary goes on to state that she appreciates the “cooperative spirit” with which the sector is approaching the situation in such testing times, and said that while workers in the waste sector “may not get the headlines” other workers do during this challenging time, she said “you are not forgotten within Government”.
Grateful
Responding to the Minister’s letter, Executive Director of the Environmental Services Association (ESA), Jacob Hayler, said: “We are grateful to the minister for acknowledging the tireless, but often overlooked, work of recycling and waste sector workers who continue to provide a vital public service during this crisis.
“Through their efforts, ESA members have been able to maintain good service levels in the face of unprecedented challenges.
“As the minister acknowledges, some operators and SMEs have already had to make difficult decisions about operations and staffing, so it is imperative that Government provides them with access to the financial support they need to see them through this crisis too.
“The ESA will continue to work closely with Defra and other government departments to ensure waste services keep moving effectively until this disease is overcome.”
Engagement
Ecosurety’s Robbie Staniforth commented on the letter, stating: “We would like to echo the minister’s comments by also paying tribute to frontline staff.
“Key workers in both the public and private sector have done an exceptional job over the last month to ensure material continues to be collected and recycled.
“We have also been impressed by the Government’s engagement with industry to date. We will continue to monitor the impact on recycling closely and feed the information into Defra, the devolved administrations and regulators.
“It will take some time before we know the full impact that this period will have on the ability for businesses to comply with producer responsibility laws.
“However, it is particularly encouraging to see the efforts local authorities and contractors are putting into maintaining household recycling collections.”
Letter in full
To those working in the waste sector,
As a nation we are undoubtedly going through one of the greatest health challenges we have faced in a generation, and I want to pay tribute to all of you who are working in such challenging times to protect the environment, local amenity and people’s health – your work is vital.
The Government has taken some unprecedented steps; instructing people to stay at home, to protect our NHS and save lives. However, there are many key workers, like yourselves, who are crucial to the health of our country. I am writing to thank you for the vital service that you are delivering. To thank you for keeping waste moving. Maintaining the rates of black bag rubbish collection, working behind the scenes in recycling centres, treatment plants, energy recovery centres and disposal sites despite all the challenges that Coronavirus brings.
As a country we are all facing challenges and I know that you are feeling these too – staff absences, social distancing, a drop off in commercial waste and an increase in household waste. Some of you have had to take difficult decisions to furlough staff or close down your operations. But you have also responded, adapted and maintained an excellent level of service where you have been able which protects public health and is crucial in keeping our society and economy going.
I also appreciate the cooperative spirit with which you are approaching the situation in such testing times. I know you are looking at ways you can work together and have been an invaluable help to us in Government, feeding back important information on the impact of the outbreak. In Government we will continue to do whatever we can to help you. The Government has published guidance on personal protection equipment (PPE) and social distancing at work to provide reassurance for you so that when you’re doing your job, you can do so safely.
We have also published guidance to help local authorities prioritise waste services. We know what an excellent and crucial job is being done to keep services running, but due to the impact of the outbreak we understand the additional pressures that you are facing. Our guidance provides advice on how services can be prioritised and underlines how critical black bag household waste collections are to protect people’s health and the environment.
Workers in the waste sector may not get the headlines that other workers do during this challenging time, but I want you to know that you are not forgotten within Government. I am enormously grateful for all you are doing, and will continue to do, and proud of your commitment to the services you provide.
Thank you.
Rebecca Pow MP
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Environment
