Plan to reduce wasted goods and save businesses billions
Resource Management Minister Dan Rogerson launches the new Waste Prevention Programme for England.
Businesses are being urged to design products that last longer, contain fewer hazardous parts and to use resources better in a drive to save money, boost the economy and protect the environment.
This comes as Resource Management Minister Dan Rogerson launches the new Waste Prevention Programme for England today. It sets out ways in which businesses and householders can make savings by cutting waste, managing resources better and passing on items they no longer want for others to use.
Research shows that businesses can make £18 billion in annual savings by taking simple steps to produce less waste. Reusing products such as household appliances and furniture could save households £1 billion each year and help create jobs.
As part of the new Programme, a new Sustainable Electrical Action Plan will be developed to encourage businesses to design products to last longer.
A new £800,000 Community Partnership Fund will also be made available to help local authorities, business and civil society organisations take action on waste prevention. In addition, a new postcode locator will help people find out where they can get things repaired or pass on things for others to buy.
Resource Management Minister Dan Rogerson said:
Preventing waste from being produced in the first place is not only good for the environment, but for the economy and household budgets too.
That’s why we are making it easier for people to find out where they can get things repaired or pass on things they no longer use.
Everyone has a role to play in reducing waste and I want to see businesses helping consumers and the environment by designing products to last longer and using resources better.
There are a range of steps that the government has already taken to help reduce waste, such as the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, which helps people reduce the amount of food waste they produce, while the Courtauld Commitment helps companies reduce the amount of packaging they use.
The Waste Prevention programme builds on the success of these initiatives, encouraging and supporting action by businesses and consumers to benefit from waste prevention.
Further information
Photo credit: Great Recovery Project, RSA