As outlined in my policy statement Changing our Ways, overall Government policy on waste management is committed to a dramatic reduction in reliance on landfill, in favour of an integrated waste management approach which will deliver ambitious waste recycling and recovery targets. These include recycling of 35% of municipal waste, recycling at least 50% of C&D waste within a five year period, with a progressive increase to at least 85% over 15 years, and the development of composting and other feasible biological treatment facilities capable of treating up to 300,000 tonnes of organic waste annually.
Local authorities have adopted or are currently engaged in finalising a range of regional and local waste management plans aimed at meeting these recovery targets. Typically, these plans incorporate proposals for household segregation and kerbside collection of organic waste and dry recyclables in urban areas; an extended network of "bring" facilities in rural areas; an increased network of civic amenity sites and waste transfer stations and a range of waste treatment and disposal facilities.