The ‘Primark Effect’ must stop

Defra’s Waste Strategy does not address business waste claims a report released today by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee. The Government’s strategy on waste focuses too much on domestic recycling which only accounts for 10% of England’s waste says the report Waste Strategy for England.

The so called “Primark Effect” has resulted in huge quantities of clothing ending up in land fill and there has been a call for greater consultation with manufacturing companies over sustainable product development and a reduction in business waste overall.

Launching the report chairman of the cross-party committee, Michael Jack MP, said: “Defra must give a clear lead on what it thinks the potential is for business to reduce its waste levels and increase its rates of recycling. At the same time it must encourage companies to take a completely new view of waste and see it as a valuable source of raw material which must not be squandered in these difficult economic times. Defra’s 2007 Strategy and its follow up reports are long on rhetoric but short on a detailed action plan to deliver a low waste society.”

The report does praise householders for increasing the amount of recycled material to 37% and urges the Government to set even higher targets for the next ten years. Read more…..