8-Aug-2006
- A new initiative to encourage the waste management
industry including landfill operators and waste
treatment plants to improve their environmental
performance has been announced today (8 August
2006) by Environment Agency.
Liz Parkes, Head of Waste Regulation,
at the Environment Agency said: "The Waste
Management Sector Plan has been developed by the
Environment Agency with the Environmental Services
Association, the largest trade body in the sector.
This Plan shows how we are working in partnership
with the waste management industry in England
and Wales to help look after the environment and
achieve a greener business world.
"Although the sector itself
does not have a huge negative impact on the environment,
there are still a number of incidents that occur
when handling waste. A key part of this plan is
to take measures to reduce such incidents and
their effects on the environment. Also the plan
aims to tackle the increasing number of illegal
operators who undermine the legitimate waste management
sector."
The plan sets out the environmental
and wider impacts of the waste management sector
and identifies ten objectives for the industry
and the Environment Agency for the next five years.
It explains how that sector is performing environmentally
and pinpoints main areas for improvement. Some
of the objectives outlined are voluntary and others
are part of existing regulations. They will be
reviewed annually to chart the progress being
made.
The ten objectives are:
lessen the impacts of climate
change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions
reduce the consumption of raw materials by promoting
the use of waste as a resource
improve and protect the environment by working
to reduce number of pollution incidents
take steps to tackle waste crime and illegal operators
improve data on waste production and management
enhance natural habitats around waste management
sites
work to risk based regulatory and environmental
management systems
improve relationships between the Environment
Agency, industry and the wider community
ensure there is a sustainable and competent waste
management industry and regulator
improve health and safety by reducing accidents
and injuries
ESA Chief Executive, Dirk Hazell said: "ESA
has led private sector debate in Britain and in
Europe on modernisation of environmental regulation
because our industry appreciates how good regulation
can align economic and environmental sustainability.
Our Members have made impressive improvements
in environmental performance going well beyond
the requirements of the law. This Sector Plan
helps to sustain improvement by offering shared
understanding of what is to be achieved and structure
for delivery."
The Environment Agency
has already published sector plans for the cement,
chemical and nuclear industries and apart from
waste management, six more plans are currently
under development (electricity generation, food
and drink manufacture, water companies, dairy
farming, retail and construction). Sector plans
are a joint venture between the Environment Agency
and bodies with each industry sector and cover
between five and 15 years.
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