WIREDGOV

Cllr Martin Tett, Environment spokesman for the Local Government Association, responded to the launch of a consultation by the Government to overhaul the country’s waste system 

“The LGA has long called for producers to cover the full cost of recycling and disposing of their packaging, and we are pleased the Government has listened to councils and outlined plans to do this.

“Councils are playing their part when it comes to improving recycling rates with our waste collection services diverting millions of tonnes of waste from landfill every year.

“But we recognise that by working with government, there is more to be done to boost recycling to reach national targets and even higher standards.

“We are clear however that any changes to waste services and additional cost burdens on councils, who are already under enormous financial pressure, need to be fully funded.

“With councils in England facing an overall funding gap of £8 billion by 2025, it is vital that the Spending Review fully funds the local services our communities rely on, such as waste and recycling.”