DEFRA have finally published its update to the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) – a legal requirement following the publication of the 25-Year Environment Plan (25 YEP) in 2018 which sets out the vision for a quarter-of-a-century of action to help the natural world regain and more importantly retain good health – on the 1st of February 2023.
The requirement to update the EIP every five years was set into the Environment Act 2021. This new EIP thus reinforces the intent of the 25 YEP and sets out the plans to deliver the framework and vision stated within the 25YEP.
To achieve this vision, the 25 YEP set ten goals relating to, in short, the protection and conservation of biodiversity (on both land and at sea), mitigating and adapting to climate change, cleaner air, clean and plentiful water, sustainable use of resources, enhancing biosecurity, managing exposure to chemicals and minimising waste.
Figure 1: Environmental Improvement Plan 2023: Minimising Waste (Source: DEFRA EIP 2023)
With respect to resources and waste management the EIP 2023 sets the following targets and commitments:
The residual waste targets are underpinned by several interim targets by January 2028 (using the 2019 baseline year):
*”residual” waste for the purposes of the target is defined as waste that is sent to landfill, put through incineration or used in energy recovery in the UK, or that is sent overseas to be used in energy recovery – from the 2019 baseline year
These interim targets reflect the trajectory that will be required for the long-term stretching target. Achieving the interim target should equal a 24% reduction of residual waste from 2019 levels, setting England on a track towards achieving the long term target equivalent to a 50% reduction from 2019 levels.
Achieving these targets will not be easy and require a substantial shift in both policies and behaviour, to support these targets DEFRA have committed to:
- Implement consistent recycling for households and business.
- Introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS)
- Implement a packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme from 2024 (which aims to move the cost of dealing with household packaging from local authorities to producers)
- Introduce a mandatory digital waste tracking service to modernise waste record keeping.
- Ban the supply of single use plastics e.g. plastic plates and cutlery from Oct 2023, plus explore further options e, g. coffee cups.
The EIP also restates the target introduced in the Circular Economy Package of a municipal recycling rate of at least 65% by 2035.
Monksleigh can help you understand the ramifications and impact of these new targets. We can help you set and achieve waste reduction plans, increase your recycling, and assist you at any stage in your journey towards a circular economy. To discuss your needs and how we can support you and your business, please contact us at info@monksleigh.com or visit our website.
