Waste Away - The Solutions to Waste Disposal

The online publication spiked (www.spiked-online.com) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (www.nerc.ac.uk) have launched an online debate entitled 'Waste Away: What Is The Best Solution To Waste Disposal?' The debate will begin with contributions from two experts:

JULIE HILL, programmes adviser to Green Alliance and co-author of the report 'Creative Policy Packages for Waste: Lessons for the UK' argues that the government should take a lead in encouraging recycling and re-use. She says:

'The UK has set recycling targets for local authorities but funding to help achieve them has been woefully inadequate... we can achieve recycling rates
of 50-60 percent. We just have to want to do it.'

JULIAN MORRIS, director of International Policy Network and research fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, argues that further government action would only hinder attempts to deal with waste more efficiently. He believes that: 'While recovery and recycling may in many cases be appropriate ways of dealing with residuals, policies that specifically promote these solutions are likely wasteful.' He argues that proper pricing of waste disposal will encourage individuals and producers to deal with waste more effectively.
These statements will be followed by responses from experts in the field and from the public. This is the fourth in a series of online debates about the environment published on spiked and sponsored by the NERC.