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U.K. Retools Trash Policy to Hit Zero Waste

<p>The United Kingdom government has launched a review of waste policies in England with an eye on working toward zero waste.</p>

The United Kingdom government has launched a review of waste policies in England with an eye on working toward zero waste.

The main focus of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) review is policies that can reduce the amount of waste created and maximize recycling and reuse. The review will also look at how waste policies are affecting communities, households and businesses.

“We are committed to working towards a zero waste economy because it makes environmental and economic sense," Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said in a statement. "Reducing waste needs to be made as easy as possible for people, it should be driven by incentives, not penalties and common sense rather than coercion."

The U.K. government's vision of a zero waste economy includes putting a value on all resources, making all waste a resource in some way, and sending as little waste to landfills as possible.

The review is asking for input from anyone in England, from businesses to residents to local governments.

The main topics being addressed by the review are how business and household waste is collected, sorted and recycled; how the government can work with local authorities to increase the frequency and quality of collections; the best ways to encourage and provide incentives to people, businesses and communities to make less waste and recycle more; and future infrastructure needs, taking into account anaerobic digestion and waste-to-energy.

Trash - CC license by Flickr user Alan Stanton

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