LARAC, the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee, has submitted an open letter to Mary Creagh MP, in relation to the progress of the UK policy reforms under the new Labour government, in particular highlighting LARAC's concerns that there is a continued lack of clarity on key policies, nearly two months after the new government came into power. 

LARAC has identified three key areas it would like the government to act on. These are: 

1. Clarification on the definition of ‘efficient and effective’ processes for local
   authorities to comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
2. Flexibility on residual waste collections.
3. Greater enforcement powers for local authorities across all four UK nations.

Cathy Cook, LARAC Chair, has described the "impossible position" local authorities currently find themselves in regarding EPR, due to the lack of information around what will be required of them and how this will be measured. 

LARAC are repeating their request that uniform fortnightly residual waste collections be reconsidered, to avoid an increase in residual waste over recycling in areas where this level of regularity is not in fact required. 

Lastly, LARAC have highlighted the success of "ensuring quality collections" in Scotland and Wales where local authorities have been given enforcement powers, calling on the government to bestow the same powers to local authorities across all four UK nations.   

You can read the full letter here.