WIREDGOV

Cllr Martin Tett, Environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, responded to the Environment Bill consultation response from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

“We are pleased Defra has listened to many of our concerns, including seeking further evidence on mandatory free garden waste collections, and recognising the need for local flexibility on compulsory food waste collections and separate collections of materials for recycling.

“We support moves to a clearly defined core set of recyclable materials, provided it is fully funded, as well as further work on how funding from packaging producers and retailers will be allocated to councils.

“The onus is now on manufacturers to urgently up their game by using packaging that is fully and easily recyclable, and pay the full cost of recycling packaging.”

Notes to editors

• Councils in England face an overall funding gap of £8 billion by 2025. The LGA’s #CouncilsCan campaign calls on the new Prime Minister to ensure the forthcoming Spending Review secures the future of vital local services and the long-term financial sustainability of councils. Visit our campaign page for more information.

Waste and recycling: making recycling collections consistent in England