Government warned over “car mountains”
The Better Regulation Task Force has demanded that the Government acts to avoid a repeat of the fridge mountain crisis when new regulations impose similar rules for disposal of cars and electrical goods.
Fridge mountains were caused by industry failing to prepare for European regulations demanding that fridges be disposed of in a specific manner. This meant that when the regulations were implemented there was insufficient capacity to dispose of fridges legally.
The Government was criticised for not doing more to ensure that firms invested in capacity, and to make the public aware of what the regulations meant. It now faces demands not to repeat the mistake with regulations affecting cars and electrical goods.
New European directives focus on reducing the use of materials that cannot be recycled, banning the use of dangerous materials, and by shifting the cost of disposal to the producer. This is expected to encourage greater consideration of waste and the environment at the design stage for new products.
The task force has warned that such regulations could cause a similar problem to those that affected fridges, but has stated that action will be needed early to ensure that changes take place smoothly.
Passenger and small commercial vehicles will be affected by regulations to be introduced this summer, while rules for electrical goods will be introduced next year. The prospect of old cars and washing machines piling up rather than being disposed of properly is one that the Government still hopes to avoid, and has been told still can be.
The Better Regulation Task Force has issued a report with nine recommendations for the government. These are largely about the importance of giving the waste management industry and local councils enough time and information to ensure that they are prepared for the new legislation.
The shadow secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs, David Lidington, has backed the report saying ‘I hope that the Government heeds today’s advice from the BRTF. We shall hold Ministers to account for any repetition of the fridges fiasco.’ Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker also backed the report and used it as an opportunity to attack the government, saying: ‘The M25 is already gridlocked with cars thanks to the Government’s failing transport policy. Now, thanks to the Government’s failing environmental policy, Britain is facing enough abandoned cars to fill the M25 as well.’
