230

THE PRIVATE SECTOR’S VIEWPOINT STAPLETON, O.B.E., Director, National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors W.

OOKING on the positive side, there is no point of contention between the public and private ~ ~ sectors’ viewpoint on waste. An unarguable fact about the human species is that it generates waste in quantities and degrees of sophistication proportional to its level of development. Some would argue that much of the waste is a manifestation of the materialistic society and, as such, is controllable if not avoidable. But even in those countries ’enjoying’ a more spartan way of life there is still waste. It is a fact of life and one with which we must live. Waste disposal is a problem. It can be dealt with wisely and in a controlled fashion or it can be ignored and left to the unscrupulous. Eight years ago, waste disposal contractors formed their own national Association because the operating companies themselves were concerned at the somewhat cavalier attitude towards the problem displayed by everyone from the man in the high street to the man in Whitehall. Those within the industry, people who could have been suspected of profit motives above all else, got together in an attempt, to quote from their Memorandum of Association: &dquo;to encourage all waste disposal contractors to adopt a code of practice and to use its influence towards obtaining acceptance of standards of performance and expert knowledge; and further to encourage all sectors of the community to recognize the need for professionalism in the field of waste handling and

L

-

disposal.&dquo;



So the Government’s introduction of the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act of 1972, followed by the more comprehensive Control of Pollution Act of 1974, was welcomed by the private sector represented by the National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors. Since that time the Association has issued its own Code of Practice as its contribution to attaining the desirable level of professionalism. Recently the Government published a number of papers to back up its legislation. Among these was Waste Management Paper No. 5, ’The Relationship Between Waste Disposal Authorities and the Private Sector’. This Paper spells out in some detail the need for both co-operation and co-ordination. What all this adds up to is that there is no lack of spirit of intent, no lack of goodwill. The objectives are agreed and the paths towards the achievement of those objectives are acceptable to both public and private sectors. The private sector feels concerned only about the way in which those paths are followed. This concern can be broken down into two areas: dual standards and pricing of work carried out by the

public .

sector.

DUAL STANDARDS AND PRICING not a fact. THE FIRST, it must be said, is a fear Many Waste Disposal Officers have gone out of their -

emphasise that public sites will have to set an example and will, therefore, in every respect be maintained at the standard demanded of the private sector. It is to be hoped that this attitude prevails. Having said way to

that, however,

one must be wary of Parkinson’s Law; it is imperative that the ’essential’ should not be replaced, or rather be added to, by the ’desirable’. The private sector must watch its costs; factors essential to the control of pollution have to be provided now, factors desirable can await better times and be spread over a greater period of time. But disagreement in the area of pricing is becoming dangerously factual. The Government itself has said that charges levied for waste disposal services should reflect the cost of performing the service and of providing facilities. NAWDC produced a consultative document on the subject of pricing, &dquo;A Proposed Charging Policy for Waste Disposal Authorities&dquo;, of which Section 3(i) reads: &dquo;It is the policy of the (Control of Pollution) Act that the cost of safe disposal of commercial and industrial waste should be borne by the producers of the waste and not by the ordinary ratepayers. Also, in order to carry out their statutory obligations and exercise the necessary anti-pollution safeguards, authorities will need scientific expertise and controls of high standard. It will, therefore, be essential to work with and rely on the long-established private industry. It is essential that those proper safeguards are maintained or else the object of the Act will be defeated in practice. For these reasons it is proposed that, as a general principle, all Authorities should accept that a proper commercial charge should be made, save in the most exceptional circumstances, to avoid any element of covert subsidy from the ratepayers.&dquo; Irrespective of these views, it is, surely, only common sense to expect Waste Disposal Authorities and District Councils to cover their costs taking into account the constraints currently ordered on public spending, the resistance from Ratepayers’ Associations towards the ever upward spiralling of rates and the difficulties of local authorities in finding the money to do their myriad

jobs satisfactorily. But such is not

always

quoted:

the

case.

Two

examples

hotel complex was quoted by its local authorof £6.50 per lift for its waste. Due to industrial trouble the unions insisted on a driver and the local authority was not able to meet the mate commitment and tenders were invited from private contractors. These tenders, depending on method and frequency, varied between £11.50 per lift and £17.00 per lift. The local authority have now taken back the business at £6.50 per lift. The known direct costs, with no inclusion for overheads, total £7.50 per lift. If one adds an overhead A

ity

new

a

price

-

-

Continued 1

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The private sector's viewpoint.

230 THE PRIVATE SECTOR’S VIEWPOINT STAPLETON, O.B.E., Director, National Association of Waste Disposal Contractors W. OOKING on the positive side, t...
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