The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has suggested that the UK government should ‘seriously consider’ making the electronic duty of care system, edoc, mandatory for all businesses.
Developed under a four-year project co-financed by the European Commission (through LIFE+ funding) and led by the Environment Agency (EA) in partnership with the waste sector and government bodies from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, edoc allows waste transfer notes (WTNs) to be completed electronically rather than by hand to save ‘time, effort and money’.
Via the online portal, which launched in January 2014, users can:
- create WTNs and season tickets and share them between the parties involved;
- review, edit, sign and store WTNs securely online;
- view a permanent log of all actions performed on a WTN, by whom, and when; and
- use a tracking feature for transfers involving more than one movement.
However, CIWM has suggested that government should consider making the system mandatory for all businesses handling waste, as ‘it would not only be beneficial but fundamental to the future of waste management in the UK’.
Steve Lee, Chief Executive at CIWM said: “We have been supporters of edoc throughout its entire development and continue to support the system, not only by using it ourselves but also by actively encouraging other businesses to adopt it.
“Since CIWM started using the new system in January this year, we have taken to weighing the amount of waste we produce each week. As a result, we are now monitoring and analysing our waste much more closely.”
He added: “If mandatory, edoc could provide us with much more accurate data on the waste that is being produced and help UK businesses, the waste industry and UK governments to adopt, promote and support better waste and resource management in the future. However, in order to achieve this, the majority of businesses in the UK would need to be using the system.”
The edoc system forms part of government’s Red Tape Challenge, which aims to save businesses money by removing administrative burden. Indeed, David Cameron announced earlier this week that submitting WTNs online rather than by hand could replace 23 million paper notes a year.
Read more about edoc.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
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.