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economies of waste, waste policies, waste generated from agriculture, UK waste incentives and regulations

Locally and centrally maximising value from our waste

17 December 2013

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The Lords Committee investigating the economies of waste will tomorrow, Tuesday 17 December, ask central and local Government officials whether current policies are a help or a hindrance.

The House of Lords Science and Technology Committee is exploring the potential to create a multi-million pound economy from waste generated from agriculture, industry and households.

In the first of two sessions the Committee will focus on the role of central Government and how policies and incentives are geared up to make the most of the bioeconomy.

Witnesses

Tuesday 17 December, Committee Room 4, Palace of Westminster

At 10.40am evidence will be heard from:

  • Janice Munday, Director of Advanced Manufacturing and Services, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS);
  • Dr Colin Church, Director, Resource, Atmosphere and Sustainability Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); and
  • Olivia Knibbs, Head of Independent Renewable Generation, Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).

Areas of questioning:

  • What do we, as a nation, need to do to make the most of bio-waste and waste gas as valuable resources?
  • Which Department has the policy lead on this issue and how do different departments work together?
  • Is incentivising only certain sectors and technologies the right approach or will this always lead to market distortions and policy uncertainty?

In the second session of the morning the Committee will concentrate on the local authority picture and the impact of policy at that level.

At 11.40am:

  • Ed Mitchell, Executive Director of Environment and Business, Environment Agency;
  • John Woodruff, Chair, National Association of Waste Disposal Officers, and Head of Waste Services, London Borough of Bromley; and
  • Mark Plummer, Team Leader, Minerals and Waste Planning, Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

The questions the witnesses will face include:

  • How do decisions made by Local Authorities influence the availability, composition and quality of bio-waste, which could be used as a resource for a bioeconomy?
  • Are Local Authorities taking the right decisions on waste infrastructure to stimulate a sustainable, high value, waste-based bioeconomy?
  • What more can be done to reduce the regulatory burden on business and enable the maximum value to be extracted from bio-waste and waste gas resources?

Further information