Why put a 30% cap on local authority recycling and composting rates for 2005/06?
Holding the Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting for 2005/06 at 30% potentially benefits 103 local authorities in England which faced higher targets. The change was aimed at reducing pressure on the highest performers without compromising achievement of the 25% national recycling target. This change gives increased flexibility to authorities, which face the greatest challenge and are making the greatest contribution to national targets. But it does not prevent them from driving towards higher recycling rates in 2005/06 should they wish to do so. The change has been made in recognition of the fact that, while many authorities have been able to deliver and sustain very high levels of recycling, in some circumstances authorities may be unable to deliver this degree of step change in the time available, or could only do so at disproportionate short-term cost.
