They introduced the first green tax, a landfill charge that was supposed to make options other than dumping more attractive. It did not work. But his replacement strategy faces problems too. Pressure on the UK has come from a series of European Union directives intended to restrict use of excessive packaging and so cut the ever-climbing amounts of waste a consumer society throws away. To comply with the latest EU landfill directive the government has set new targets for recovering and recycling materials.
More waste has to be converted into energy.
It is estimated that between 100 and 200 new materials recovery facilities are needed - places that sort cans, plastics and other recyclable items. Between 150 and 300 new composting plants should be provided - a tall order for local authorities with other priorities on how to spend their limited funds. Meanwhile, the other main plank of official policy, incineration, is in deep trouble. The idea of reducing waste bulk by burning it while at the same time generating electricity is appealing. The problem in the UK is that there has been successful and continuing opposition that may veto any expansion.