Research conducted on behalf of May Gurney has found a potential volunteer army of 14.7 million could be willing to help safeguard council services like waste management and recycling. Only 15 per cent of people are unhappy with their current waste services, and 31 per cent of people interviewed said they would be willing to step in and help their council in the face of budget cuts – either as part of a steering committee or directly as a volunteer. Refuse and recycling were most often cited as the service residents value most; 41 per cent of people said it was most important to them, comparedtojust17percent for schools.
May Gurney CEO Philip Fellowes-Prynne said: “Finding new ways to safeguard and deliver front- line services will... be critical and the Big Society policy paves the way for local communities to become more involved.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.