Responsibility Deal will help businesses tackle waste

A new deal between Government and the waste industry will help businesses prevent waste and recycle more of the waste they do produce.

The Responsibility Deal will see the Government work with the Environmental Services Association (ESA).

Businesses across the UK have the potential to save up to £18bn a year by taking steps to reduce waste that will cost them either nothing or very little in the short term.

The Responsibility Deal will make it easier for businesses to do the right thing and save money, such as by improving recycling services for small and medium businesses and giving them better information on what they can do to prevent and deal with waste.

The Government and the ESA will work with the Federation of Small Businesses, other business trade bodies and chambers of commerce, and local government organisations to reduce the 165 million tonnes of waste produced each year and to turn waste into a resource.

The deal will also promote consistent and proportionate enforcement by the Environment Agency, reduce red tape and other burdens on good performers, and maintain a level-playing field between public and private waste contractors.

Environment Minister Lord Henley said: "Businesses will benefit from more user-friendly waste management services and better advice on how to deal with their waste, while the Government will be looking for ways to recognise good performance by waste management companies and in particular to cut red tape for those who are doing the right thing."

Further information:
Defra