APSRG Reduction Through Production

Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group

15 October 2008, some eighty delegates attended the Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group, ranging from Environmental Consultants and Waste Managers to UK government advisors and authorities. Also present were eight House of Commons MPs and four Peers of the House of Lords. The prestigious guest list only serves to highlight the importance of waste and waste reduction issues within the UK government's agenda. Speakers included:

• Dr. Alan Whitehead MP - Co-Chair, APSRG
• Peter Calliafas - Chairman, Enviro business
• Peter Evans - Senior Environment Advisor, Sony

Within the 'Three R's' of Waste Management, there exists a hierarchy:

• first reduce
• then reuse
• if all else fails, recycle

Waste reduction means tackling waste before it is created, rather than managing it after it has been produced, thereby increasing efficiency (in terms of energy, resources and overall economics).

Full life-cycle analysis of a product (the cradle-to-grave approach) is essential in order for a producer to manage the production (extraction to manufacture), consumption (purchase and use) and waste management (end of life removal/reuse/recycle/disposal) stages of a product's life.

Household waste accounts for 9% of all waste generated within the UK, while that generated by the construction industry alone is 32%. Because of this, government policy focus should be shifted from domestic to commerce and industry-related waste reduction. In response to this, the House of Lords' Science and Technology Select Committee Report, Waste Reduction, was published in August 2008.

Further to this, it has been cited that 13% of materials delivered to a construction site are never used. It is findings such as this that have led to the concept of "true individual producer responsibility" being introduced, whereby companies are encouraged to take their duty to reduce waste seriously. This should be enhanced by the provision of guidance to business, with the financial benefits and the competitive advantage associated with waste reduction outlined, VAT support made available for more sustainable material use and product repair.

Toyota has been used as an example of how waste reduction can be achieved. Currently, the company has zero waste being landfilled. This has been achieved by ensuring all suppliers comply with ISO 1400 standards. Companies such as Sony have found that the major driver for a reduction in waste has been company policy itself. They feel that consumers within their sector have yet to begin demanding eco-designed products. However, they have adopted a reduced waste policy and have found it to be economically advantageous to do so.

Designs can be simple but effective, such as, a change of packaging design using fewer materials has led to cheaper packaging costs. Other design changes can be more complex, necessitating major changes to the tools, processes and materials involved. Even with such initial capital expenditure, however, it has been found that these costs are quickly recovered and the laws of marginal utilities take hold.

 RICS is a member of Policy Connect, allowing us to keep our members up to date with essential environment and waste management issues and to contribute towards the direction environment and waste management policy takes.

Defra (working jointly with BERR and DIUS) is currently putting together its response to this report.

House of Lords' Science and Technology Select Committee Report Waste Reduction