The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has expressed concern that sustainable waste and resources management has been short changed in the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review delivered this week.

“Building a more sustainable approach to waste and resources management means high quality collection and recycling services for householders, high quality sorting and treatment facilities, and high quality recovered materials for industry – and there is an unavoidable cost attached to meeting these fundamental needs,” says CIWM chief executive Steve Lee.

The CIWM believes that the 1% real term increase will not be enough to help local authorities absorb rising waste management costs, meet national landfill diversion targets, and deliver higher statutory recycling and recovery targets – particularly given that overall funding is predicated on efficiency savings that could put waste management services under even more pressure.

In addition, although it welcomes the increased flexibility afforded by the removal of ring-fencing and other grant controls, the CIWM is concerned that the Government has focused heavily on the Private Finance Initiative as the key funding route for infrastructure development.

“The increase in PFI funding is welcome and much needed if we are to deliver the long term increase in infrastructure that is required. However, PFI is a complex and lengthy process that is unlikely to meet short and medium term infrastructure needs and will not always provide authorities with the flexibility to develop appropriately sized facilities to meet local requirements and circumstances. PFI is not a universal solution and the CIWM is keen to see sufficient choice in funding mechanisms when more detailed spending plans become available,” says Steve Lee.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 7000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found at www.ciwm.co.uk

Contacts:

Pat Jennings
Communications Office
Tel: 01604 620426
Mob: 07881 878568
E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk