As the 4 July fast approaches, this week has seen a lot of calls for action by many groups within the waste and EfW sectors. We’ve broken them down for you.

First up - Environmental groups have accused the Scottish government of not using its powers to “curb” new incineration plants

Activists said the moratorium, a temporary prohibition on new waste incinerators implemented in Scotland in 2022, has “more holes than Swiss cheese.” The group claimed that developers are continuing to build incinerators or increasing the tonnage of pre-existing ones. The environmental groups are now requesting a formal investigation by Environmental Standards Scotland. 

The ESA is urging the incoming government to address the gap in landfill tax

Currently, the landfill gap sits at 14.5% of the theoretical landfill tax liability, equivalent to £100 million. The Environmental Services Association has said the next government, whomever that may be, should make addressing the gap a “top priority”. 

From landfill tax to tyres - The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) is demanding a complete overhaul of regulations in the UK

The TRA’s manifesto, released this week, has outlined the environmental reforms the group believes the next government should deliver and dubbed current regulations “outdated”. An FOI from the group revealed that minimal enforcement efforts had been made by the Environmental Agency, which has allowed “rogue operators to thrive while domestic capacity remains underutilised.”

The Environmental Services & Solutions Expo released an interesting survey this week

The survey revealed some insights into public opinions on the nation's most pressing environmental concerns. Key insights included:

• • • 94% of respondents believe that Greenwashing is prevalent, a theme continued from the 2023 survey
    • 80% of respondents have concerns about the credibility and transparency of carbon-offsetting schemes 
    • Less than 10% of respondents felt that Government policies were fully supportive in achieving net zero goals

And finally, a huge congratulations to Dr Adam Read on his MBE!

SUEZ’s Chief Sustainability and External Affairs Officer has been recognised for his efforts in advancing the waste and resources agenda. He also regularly gifts the network with his insightful blog posts. Read the latest one here.