British Metals Recycling Association welcomes additional funding to tackle waste crime.

British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) welcomes the news that the Environment Agency is to receive extra funding over the next four years to tackle waste crime and illegal operators. Announced in today’s budget, the £30 million will go some way to crack down on those operators who have, increasingly, seemingly operated with impunity and little concern over detection. . 

However, the extra funding will have to be allocated carefully if all aspects of waste crime from illegal sites and operators to fly-tipping are to be effectively tackled. Hopefully, the announcement that from 1 April 2018, operators of illegal waste sites will become liable for Landfill Tax, and those who continue to flout the rules will face tough civil and criminal sanctions will be an effective deterrent for some offenders. BMRA will continue to support the Environment Agency as well as other enforcement bodies such as British Transport Police in their drive to tackle all kinds of waste crime.

Of note too in this Autumn’s budget is the announcement of Government’s intention to support the growth of electric car market. Given that a host of vehicle manufacturers have recently been announcing a move away from diesel- and petrol-powered cars, this is encouraging news. The £540m will be split between a new charging-infrastructure fund, a plug-in vehicle grant, and research into charging. However, with an ever-increasing number of electric cars on our roads, now is the time to ensure that all due thought is given to how these vehicles will be recycled at the end of their lives.

Finally, the fact that Philip Hammond also set aside monies to support Brexit is also welcome news, but the Association remains concerned regarding the continued lack of clarity surrounding the impact of Brexit on the UK’s environmental policies and trade with the metals recycling industry’s overseas markets.

You can read more on the Budget here