Make recycling less confusing

There are some new proposals set out by the Government's Resources and Waste Strategy.

For manufacturers to introduce consistent labelling on packaging so consumers know what they can recycle and this should drive up recycling rates. 

Make companies which manufacture materials responsible for the cost of disposing these items i.e fast food chains.

Industry will pay higher fees if their products are harder to reuse, repair or recycle.

Compel local councils to offer separate collections for food waste.

Encourage manufacturers to design products that last longer and increase the levels of repair and re-use! (Our own concept).

Michael Gove, the Environment minister has said "Our strategy sets out how we will go further and faster to reduce, reuse and recycle. Together we can move away from being a throw away society to one that looks at waste as a valuable resource".

Samantha Harding of the Green Group CPRE told the BBC that "separating food waste is essential because decomposing food in general household bins reduces the value of other material sent for recycling".

These plans build on the Autumn Budget which announced a world leading tax on plastic packaging with less that 30% recycled content.

All steps in the right direction.