CIWM welcomes CLG report on littering and fly-tipping

CIWM congratulates the CLG Select Committee on its enquiry report into littering and fly-tipping in England published last week and is in broad agreement with the three main areas of improvement identified. The three areas are:

a transfer of responsibility for paying for clean-up and prevention from local authorities to brands, especially in the case of smoking litter and chewing gum;

improved and clearer powers and responsibilities for public sector cleansing and enforcement; and

more concentration on timely and reliable data, and R&D.

CIWM Chief Executive Officer Steve Lee said:
"Our management of local environmental quality is under pressure and clear proposals for action from this committee are welcome. The suggestion by the Committee - in advance of the 2015 Budget Statement - that an element of any increase in tobacco duty should be ear-marked for councils' street cleansing is a big step.

"The Committee has recognised the importance of shifting the cost of litter clean-up away from cash-strapped councils to the brands whose products contribute to litter and impair local environmental quality. We therefore await the budget statement with particular interest. CIWM also welcomes the call for positive steps to be taken by chewing gum manufacturers and the recommendation for a levy to pay for gum removal to be introduced if there is no progress within 12 months.

"CIWM is working with brands on a year-round campaign to prevent and clear litter through its Clean Britain scheme. We need a pro-active and collaborative campaign by all parties if we are to win the fight against littering."

CIWM is also backing the Committee's proposals on enforcement powers and responsibilities, especially as they coincide with Defra's consultation on fly-tipping and waste crime and mirror proposals which the Institution will be making in its response.

The full CLG Committee report can be found here

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
1. The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for the waste management sector representing over 6000 individuals in the UK and overseas. Established in 1898, CIWM is a non profit-making organisation, dedicated to the promotion of professional competence amongst waste managers. CIWM seeks to raise standards for those working in and with the sector by producing best practice guidance, developing educational and training initiatives, and providing information on key waste-related issues. Comprehensive information about CIWM can be found a www.ciwm.co.uk.

Press contacts:
Pat Jennings
Tel: 01604 620426
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E-mail: pat.jennings@ciwm.co.uk