DEFRA responded positively earlier this week to the latest ECA representation on its joint plans, with the Environment Agency, to introduce a new system of digital tracking for waste (including hazardous waste). ECA had already commented on DEFRA’s initial proposals in 2022, after which the Government department indicted it would delay the roll out digital recording of waste until 2024 at the earliest.
Following our initial response, DEFRA recently approached ECA about our suggested ‘smaller quantity’ exemption from digital tracking, potentially available for waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) being taken from a customer or client back to the contractors’ base before eventual recovery or disposal. ECA was asked provide feedback on a reasonable weight for this exemption, if granted, and we suggested up to 50kgs for commercial WEEE and other waste, a significant increase on that originally proposed.
According to Paul Reeve, ECA’s Director of CSR “Our primary aim is to ensure that, in line with responsible business practice, the business environment for Members is as good as it can be. This includes not requiring Members to do things that don’t deliver the required outcome, which in this case is effective national waste tracking and management. There is a way to go yet, but DEFRA appears keen to eliminate unnecessary red tape, where it does not compromise this national goal”. Reeve added “If introduced sensibly, and with good supporting information for industry, digital waste tracking could offer an improvement on the current waste transfer situation which relies on extensive paperwork, particularly for hazardous waste”.
In addition to representing Members’ interests on prevailing environmental and carbon reporting issues, ECA’s CSR team offers professionally qualified Member advice and support on how to meet legal and supply chain environmental and wider sustainability requirements, including practical information and advice on carbon footprinting.
Last updated 04 May 23