ESA publishes sector report for new government ministers

A new market research report published by the Environmental Services Association aims to provide Government ministers with an overview of the recycling and waste treatment sector and its policy environment.

According to the Environmental Services Association (ESA), current policy is undergoing a once-in-a-generation reform that will have a profound impact on the market and nature of waste and recycling services.

The inclusion of energy from waste in the Emissions Trading System (ETS) from 2028 (reporting will start in 2026) is currently subject to consultation.

The ESA said this represented a “fundamental shock” to the sector’s economy, which could result in negative, unintended consequences for councils and businesses if not implemented correctly.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, changes to kerbside collection services under the Simpler Recycling initiative and a deposit-refund scheme are all set to be introduced under the next Parliament, along with more detailed regulatory reforms.

ESA said there were a number of looming deadlines for these changes to come into effect and relevant decision-makers would need to quickly come to grips with the complexities of the sector.

ESA said if the new government supported the effective implementation of the policy, it could unlock billions of dollars of investment, create new jobs and create a circular economy with lower carbon emissions.

According to ESA, the report combines current data on waste volumes and flows with commentary on current and future economic and political factors influencing the sector’s main activities and decarbonisation plans.

The UK Waste and Recycling Market Overview report has been produced by Tolvik Consulting Ltd (Tolvik), an independent consultancy that specialises in providing market analysis and commercial advisory services to the waste and bioenergy sectors in the UK and Europe.

The full report is only available to ESA members, but will be distributed directly to parliamentarians and relevant stakeholders.