The DCN has responded to the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into how DEFRA intends to implement collection and packaging reforms, as well as achieve its environmental targets to reduce waste.

“These programmes have been subject to extensive delays creating ongoing uncertainty for local authorities. Implementing these significant changes to how consumers and businesses handle packaging could have led to a shift in our economy and consumption.”

“The DCN is extremely concerned about the ongoing delays to waste policy announcements, and we are calling on government for urgent clarity on how it will deliver on its environmental targets.”

“The continued uncertainty is actively hampering councils from investing in and improving their services, delaying procurement, and undermining local authorities’ efforts to increase recycling rates, deliver greater value to local taxpayers and shift towards net zero.”

You can read our full response by clicking here.