REWARD RESIDENTS' RECYCLING, SAYS REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

South East councils should be allowed to offer cash rewards to residents whose recycling reduces the amount of rubbish they produce says the South East England Regional Assembly's planning committee.

Responding this week to Government's consultation on its Waste Strategy for England 2007, the committee believes that local authorities should be able to reward households that produce less landfill rubbish, while those that produce large amounts of rubbish could be penalised.

However, members say councils must make recycling as easy as possible for people, particularly in town centres, to avoid increased fly-tipping. National measures, such as reducing packaging for consumer goods, would also help.

The committee welcome Government plans to increase national targets as it brings them closer to those in the Assembly's 20 year vision for the region - the South East Plan. But the new national target for household and similar waste being recycled, composted or used for energy by 2020 is still just 75% compared to 83% in the Plan.

Cllr Moira Gibson, chairman of the committee, said:

“We welcome Government proposals to set higher recycling targets. Our current level of waste is unsustainable and these targets will focus efforts on reducing landfill. Rewarding those who recycle will encourage people to reduce the amount of waste they produce.”

Contacts

Steve Baker, Assembly PR Executive - 01483 555234

Heather Bolton, Assembly Communications Director - 01483 555220

Notes to editors:

1. The Government's Waste Strategy for England 2007 is available on the DEFRA website.
   
   
2. The Assembly is a partnership of councils and communities in the South East region. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the region, which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire and Surrey.
   
   
3. The Assembly is made up of 112 members including elected councillors nominated by the region's local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations) as well as the New Forest National Park Authority.
   
   
4. The Assembly has six roles:
1. Regional Planning:
   preparing and delivering the South East Plan
2. Regional Housing:
   the Regional Housing Board decides housing investment priorities
3. Regional Transport:
   the Regional Transport Board decides transport investment priorities
4. Advocacy:
   pressing the South East's interests in London and Brussels
5. Accountability:
   scrutinising SEEDA's plans and impact
6. Alignment:
   co-ordinating regional policies and decisions.

Our vision is for a distinctive, outward-looking, accessible region of prosperous, sustainable communities, with a high quality of life and environment.

Last updated: 18 September 2007