Waste legislation in England & Wales is set for major reform, with the government's Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Bill likely to become law before May. The Bill covers a wide range of issues, including noise, nuisance littering, graffiti & dogs, but the sections on the transportation & disposal of waste & on recycling credits will have an impact on UK waste management. The Bill gives more powers of environmental law enforcement & tightens up current legislation ie, removing the defence of acting on an employer's orders in the case of unauthorised waste transport or dumping. Perhaps the biggest consequence is the repeal, under clause 47 of S32 & schedule 2 of the 1990 Environmental Protection Act. This means that local authorities will no longer have to contract out waste treatment & disposal to the private sector or LAWDCs.
