Responsibility deals can be a good way of encouraging businesses to recycle and improve their environmental credentials, it has been claimed.

Mike Webster, spokesperson for Waste Watch, was speaking after environment minister Lord Henley announced plans for industry sectors to take responsibility for waste and recycling alongside government guidance, without the need for formal legislation.

"As far as responsibility deals, there are good examples," Mr Webster said.

He cited the Courtauld Commitment – a voluntary agreement aimed at improving resource efficiency and reducing the carbon and wider environmental impact of the grocery retail sector - as being one such case.

This represents a move away from solely weight-based targets and aims to achieve more sustainable use of resources over the entire lifecycle of products, throughout the whole supply chain.

"Responsibility deals can be a very good way of getting a certain industry or sector to get their house in order - as long as it triggers action then it can be a very useful tool in the box," Mr Webster said.

He added that there is always room for legislation at a later date if particular sectors prove incapable of self-governing.

Posted by Dan Smith