LAWR

COMMENT Setting the bar high and jumping over If a teacher were writing an end of term report on England's efforts at household recycling, it would probably read "much improved but could do better". England now recycles more than 40% of its household waste – it was only recycling 11% 15 years ago. However, the rate of increase in the last year is insuf- ficient to meet the 50% EU target by 2020, according to Defra. Yet, the European Commission is now proposing a recycling target of 70% by 2030. This suggests that we have come a long way but still have a long way to go. Surely, steps need to be taken so that the Government reengages in waste policy to help councils meet the 50% target. Industry expert Robert Hunt recently made an interesting analogy on the situation. He said it is like setting a high jump bar at 5ft and failing three times to jump over it and then saying that the bar would now be moved to 7ft, even though it has not been cleared at 5ft. Something more is needed to get people to reinvigorate recycling. Better information might encourage more recycling. We need to demonstrate to people that we are recycling products, not just waste, and that is turned into something worthwhile. Ealing Council, in west London, has managed to increase its recycling levels through an effective communication campaign using famous Bollywood stars (see page 19). On the thorny issue of whether householders should be penalised for not recycling or rewarded for doing so, the consensus is that carrot works better than stick. However, in a LAWR debate on whether householders should pay as they throw, Keep Britain Tidy's Tim Burns argues why he thinks pay-as-you-throw schemes will get recycling rates moving again. His views are included in LAWR's preview of the RWM exhibition. In this month's issue LAWR will analyse the key topics which will be covered at this year's flagship conference – a show that you will not want to miss. Liz Gyekye, Editor Follow me on Twitter: @LAWR_editor Contact us for more info: 0845 050 3300 | info@amcsgroup.com | www.amcsgroup.com Contact us for more info: Monitor, Validate and Op mise your Collec on Services more Effi ciently 0845 050 3300 info@amcsgroup.com www.amcsgroup.com Contact us for more info: Talk to AMCS about our RFID (Radio Frequency Iden fi ca on) solu ons Proof of Service Reduce missed pickup callbacks by 25% Reduce invoice queries and credit notes by approx. 75% Denial of Service Reduce revenue leakage Prevent unauthorised/unregistered li s Availability of Data Accurate asset tracking Presenta on rates per waste type per household Implement Pay as you Throw / Recycling Reward programs UHF (Ultra High Frequency) For containers requiring long range reading technology Track expensive assets such as ROROs & skips ► ► ► ►

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