'Zero Waste Alliance UK': "Conserve and recover resources, and not trash them by burning or burying"

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'Zero Waste Alliance UK' has published its response to DEFRA’s 'Call for Evidence' in relation to the Coalition Government’s Draft Structural Reform Plan.

The evidence is that, where it has been piloted, progress towards Zero Waste is on course in the UK, and that both committed individuals and communities are already close to achieving it. There is reference to examples of individuals and communities, today reaching 88% to 90% recycling. Val Barton, ZWA UK director and secretary, said:

The danger is that the national waste strategy is not ambitious enough, and we limit the public to doing just a little more recycling, while still sending a considerable amount of valuable resources to incinerators and landfill. 'Zero waste to landfill' is not Zero Waste. The internationally understood definition of Zero Waste involves conserving and recovering all resources, and not trashing them by burning or burying.

True Zero Waste amounts to a more sustainable lifestyle and a revolution to avoid wasting resources and energy in the fight against Climate Change. People are demonstrating by their efforts that true Zero Waste can and will be achieved.

The evidence is that some are already getting so close to Zero Waste that the argument about what to do with residuals is yesterday’s issue. Just think of the benefits for the UK of a Zero Waste policy, which could be achieved with more producer responsibility, education and help in the community, so creating more jobs, saving valuable resources and energy and reducing climate change gases and pollution.”

Zero Waste Alliance UK promotes a transition to a Zero Waste economy, by redesign of products and materials, by information, education and training to make it all happen. This is all a part of the new sustainable green economy, which will contribute to the Government’s aspirations in the context of the 'Big Society'.