International Review of Waste Management Policy - Department of ...

8.3 Key Organisations Involved in Implementation and
Management
The usual approach is for national government to write into law the framework within
which local government and waste collectors can operate. In most situations, the
local authority, or a contractor to the local authority, provides the collection service to
householders.
The service is funded typically through a combination of:
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• Central government taxation;
• Taxes raised at the local level; and
• The revenue from the variable charge element.
As such, the actors involved usually include local, and sometimes, central
government, as well as local government and the service operator, where this is not
the municipality itself.
Concerns generally arise with regard to the issue of fly-tipping. As a result, local
authorities and other competent authorities also have some involvement in the
matter. This may bring environmental protection agencies into play (as an enforcer).
8.4 Evaluation Studies Available
The list of studies that have been undertaken in respect of waste charging is
extensive. However, much of the literature reports only on the high level outcomes in
terms of recycling and waste reduction. Rarely is there much by way of detailed
discussion as to the outcomes of the scheme, and how these might be explained
through reference to the specifics of the charging scheme, and the background
collection system against which charges are introduced. Indeed, this has been one of
the main drivers behind our own attempts to carry out more detailed case studies in
previous work. 155 156 157
Other studies of interest are referred to through the body of this review.
A recent study includes a summarised evidence base regarding the pros and cons of
charging systems with a reference list extending to over 50 case study reviews. The
literature review covered Australia, Austria, Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia), Canada,
Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain,
155 Eunomia (2003) To Charge or Not to Charge? Final report to IWM (EB).
156 Eunomia (2005) Evaluation of Local Authority Experience of Operating Household Waste Incentive
Schemes, Defra.
157 D. Hogg (2006) Impact of Unit-based Waste Collection Charges. Referred to within the text of this
report as ‘the OECD charging review’. ENV/EPOC/WGWPR(2005)10/FINAL, Paris: OECD.
International Review of Waste Policy: Annexes