Defra Puts Forgotten Waste in the Spotlight with 2042 target

Following news from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that it intends to halve the amount of residual waste sent to landfill or incineration by 2042, Dr Stephen Wise, Chief Strategic Development Officer at Advetec said:

“Finally, Mixed Residual Waste (MRW) – or forgotten waste as we call it – has been brought into the spotlight.

For years, MRW has been going to landfill or conventional mass burn EfW – even though there are technologies available to treat this stream that have a smaller environmental impact and deliver bigger cost and carbon savings. Defra’s spotlight on MRW will, I hope, create the optimum conditions for greater adoption of the UK’s alternative technologies and innovative treatments.

Defra’s acknowledgement that these ambitions are predicated by “significant” behavioural change highlights the need for greater education – on a corporate and community level. MRW exists largely because of human behaviour and lack of knowledge about how our actions determine where waste goes. Education of the public as well as the waste industry must go hand-in-hand with the uptake of new tech.

I believe this announcement, particularly in light of increasing waste handling costs, creates a compelling reason to embrace change now. Biotechnology is already proving its worth as a highly effective, carbon efficient alternative and one that can deliver much-needed cost certainty. We hope to engage with the consultation process to highlight its value further.

Defra has sent a very clear message – Mixed Residual Waste can’t be ignored and we welcome this wholeheartedly.”

The plan to halve the residual waste forms part of a package of new long-term environmental targets.