UK chancellor unveils waste management plans

UK chancellor George Osborne has revealed details of the new National Infrastructure Plan, which will include measures to improve waste management across Britain.

Mr Osborne highlighted the importance of becoming a zero waste economy during his Autumn Statement yesterday (November 29th).

"For the first time we are identifying over 500 infrastructure projects we want to see built over the next decade and beyond," he commented, before adding that major investment into the waste management sector, roads, railways, airports, broadband provisions and power stations would be made.

Under the revised Waste Framework Directive, Mr Osborne pledged to recover at least 70 per cent of the rubbish created by the construction industry by 2020.

He also stated £5 million would be spent on setting up a new taskforce aimed at clamping down on metal thieves and illegal traders.

A number of local authorities in the UK have already set up new waste management initiatives, including Gloucester City Council, which has seen 17,000 people in the city sign up to a venture that sees them pay to have their bins collected, the Citizen reported.

Posted by Lauren Steadman