The best performers - Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands - have already met final targets (set for 2016) for diversion as required by the Directive. By contrast, the UK has not yet met the first set of targets despite a four year derogation.

Delivering key waste management infrastructure: lessons learned from Europe has identified several factors as playing a key role for better performing countries:

• The use of alternative systems of finance for new facilities/technologies such as prudential style borrowing underwritten by direct local taxation which broadens the share of risk, making projects more acceptable to contractors and investors. In the UK, the emphasis on Private Finance Initiative (PFI) places all risk on the private sector.
• A clear mandate for ‘regional’ planning authorities (as opposed to local authorities) to lead waste capacity planning. This facilitates shared infrastructure between different local authorities and distances local politicians from unpopular decisions. In the UK, facilities identified as desirable at regional level are frequently rejected at local level due to public pressure.
• A transparent system of compensation for local communities in which treatment facilities are constructed. This eases protests against new facilities while delivering improved local amenities and potentially lower council tax bills. No such system exists in the UK.
• Integration of strategic planning for municipal and industrial wastes. This also facilitates economies of scale and enables fewer waste treatment sites and reduced transport emissions. Municipal and industrial waste streams are kept largely separate in the UK.

Cultural features have clearly influenced the way that waste management policy has developed in different countries. For example, a lack of fossil fuels in some countries and a large heat requirement to counter colder winters have been at the root of the development of energy from waste in Denmark, Sweden and Austria where the public clearly recognises its benefits.

Successful Member States have also tended to introduce regulations in line with European legislation very early, often ahead of Directives actually being officially implemented. There has also been long-term consistency and therefore certainty for the waste, planning and financial sectors in terms of Government policy on the use of different technologies and required environmental performance standards.

Only Ireland and Spain are not ahead of the UK in terms of developing infrastructure to reduce reliance on landfill.

CIWM chief executive Steve Lee comments: It’s not all bad. Some of the major issues identified in the report are moving in the right direction. Changes in the planning regime under PPS 10 should help – but only time will tell if that help has come early enough. There has been much less progress in other areas. Unless we learn lessons from good performers we will really be left behind.’

The report findings will be discussed in full and made available at a CIWM seminar in London on 12 January entitled Delivering key waste management infrastructure: lessons learned from Europe. For further information visit www.ciwm.co.uk/events or contact the Events Department on tel: 01604 620426, e-mail: events@ciwm.co.uk
 

Click here for a copy of the report summary.