After the Environmental Protection Acts 1990 and 1995

 

Many changes have been introduced by these acts and they will be seen in more detail in unit 4. As a result of the weaknesses discussed above the operational and regulatory functions of local authorities were separated. The Environment Agency now takes the responsibility for regulation. Operational bodies i.e. the landfill and incineration facilities etc. were subject to competitive tendering from the private sector. Thus the responsibility for safe disposal of household and other wastes are now carried out either by arms length Local Authority Waste Disposal Companies (LAWDC's) or solely by means of letting contracts. Waste collection authorities were also required to submit to compulsory competitive tendering (CCT).

 

Environment Agency Role

 

The Environment Agency for England and Wales was formed on 1 April 1996 and brought together the National Rivers Authority, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution and local authorities' waste regulation functions.

The Environment Agency's statutory responsibilities with regard to waste are to:

  • Regulate industrial processes to prevent or minimise pollution;
  • Regulate the disposal of radioactive waste, the keeping and use of radioactive material and the accumulation of radioactive waste;
  • Regulate the treatment and disposal of controlled waste to prevent pollution or harm to human health;
  • Implement the Government's National Waste Management Strategy for England and Wales in its waste regulation work.