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The lack of control local authorities have over private sector waste in their area is a cause for concern, councils have warned. Delegates at a New Local Government Network conference this week told shadow local government minister, Caroline Spelman, they only control around one-fifth of waste in their areas, while the rest is industrial. Ms Spelman accepted this was a huge problem especially ahead of forthcoming EU targets on waste – set to be introduced in 2013. The latest Government figures show levels of household waste recycled by authorities nationwide has continued to rise but councils' ability to meet the EU targets have again been questioned. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) revealed recycling rates were up to 37.6% in 2008/9, compared to 34.5% in 2007/8, indicating an 11.2% rise since 2000/1. But the Local Government Association (LGA) warned more still needs to be done. Cllr Gary Porter, chairman of the LGA's environment board, warned there was an ‘increasing risk' that councils will fail to meet EU targets for cutting waste sent to landfill by 2013, which would land ‘potentially crippling fines' on the public purse. Cllr Porter acknowledged that residents deserved credit for doing their bit by recycling more. But, despite recycling rates moving in the right direction, there is an ‘urgent need' to do more, he added. ‘The Government needs to make good on its undertaking to return to councils the tax they pay for throwing rubbish in the ground. Councils could use landfill tax to invest in better facilities to make recycling even easier and cut further the amount of rubbish we throw in the ground.' Environment minister Dan Norris claimed the UK was on the right path to becoming a zero waste nation.

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CLIMATE CHANGE

Councils admit fears over waste

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