Agency publishes guide for local authorities exporting waste

I see that the Environment Agency has published a guide for local authorities which may be the source of exported waste. It suggests that the export of poor quality materials is threatening UK suppliers' competitiveness in international commodity markets, and also states that the UK could become a more marginal supplier to China as its demand for commodities increases. A key point raised in the document is that 'quality is essential to maintain markets'.

Quality is of course important, but so is price and there is a trade-off between the two. Meeting the right specification at the right price is actually the key to maintaining the UK's competitiveness in international recyclate markets. Ignoring prices will only serve to miss a vital aspect of this dynamic.

My fear is that the ever increasing policy drive to improve quality at any price will only serve to drive up costs to waste producers across the economy. This will in turn reduce their ability to generate positive economic returns elsewhere and ultimately will make us all worse off.