Thursday 8th September 2011 - No Embargo

Judicial Review Permission Granted

The Campaign for Real Recycling can confirm that an application for a Judicial Review regarding Defra's transposition of the European Union revised Waste Framework Directive has been granted. The claimants in this petition are representative stakeholders of the UK reprocessing and recycling industry, and supporters of the Campaign for Real Recycling.

The granting of permission to hear this case in the High Court in Cardiff confirms that government has a serious case to answer regarding its interpretation of the revised Waste Framework Directive.

CRR continues to promote the adoption of recycling collection systems that prioritise material quality. This is best achieved through the separation of materials at source, a principle that is enshrined in the Directive.

Mal Williams, chair of CRR, said: “Permission for the JR has been granted as we expected, but we derive no joy from this. We should not have needed to bring this action. It remains our contention that the UK will ultimately benefit much from embracing not just the letter of this Directive, but the spirit of it as well. We urge all stakeholders looking for new, green industry and jobs to look at all the evidence. The UK is at a crossroads and has an opportunity to choose a path that maximises the value of its waste as a resource. This JR is part of that.”

Information for Editors:

1. The Campaign for Real Recycling wants central government and local authorities to act urgently to improve the quality of materials collected for recycling in the UK. Real recycling is about maximising the economic, environmental and social benefits of recycling for everyone, from the local council tax payer to the global reprocessing industry. Our concern is that collection systems that gather a range of different materials in one bag or bin and then compact them could permanently undermine the environmental and financial benefits of recycling. Our campaign aims to influence local authority policy and practice, and build consensus within the UK of the economic and environmental importance of highly-separated collections.

Andy Moore
Campaign for Real Recycling
07767 206 001