ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Materials Hierarchy and starts with the assertion that cost rather than environmental concern drives which option within the hierarchy is selected. It is suggested that there needs to be an inverse relationship between cost and the Materials Hierarchy, i.e. the higher up the hierarchy, the less the cost should be. For too long, WCAs and WDAs have been struggling to recycle products and packaging that have not been designed for recycling; producers have to change this by designing for packaging reuse and product repair. When thinking about Reduction, three types of inappropriate buying behaviour are put forward, with the call to action to buy-with-the-end-in-mind. A simplified collection system is proposed comprising two wheeled bins (one for co-mingled Dry Recyclables and one for residual “waste”), together with a food “waste” caddy and an optional garden “waste” wheeled bin. Collection frequency is discussed and a list of recyclable materials is presented. It is proposed that plastic film be included in Dry Recyclables collection, but that the polymers used be limited to just polyethylene. The problem of EfW incineration over-capacity is presented, together with an estimate of how much capacity would no longer be needed if the proposed changes were implemented. The UK and devolved Governments’ so-called “waste” strategies are summarised and challenged. Bottle Deposit Return Schemes, Expended Producer Responsibility and the UK Governments’ plastic packaging tax are discussed and each challenged.
