The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) said the ‘scarce’ updates since the Government took office had created uncertainty for councils.

In a letter to environment minister Mary Creagh, the committee called for clarification on legislation for Extended Producer Responsibility, particularly on the definition of ‘efficient and effective’ services.

LARAC said councils were unclear about what would be required of them in terms of performance, how this would be measured, and the exact funding that would be available to meet new requirements.

The organisation also called for reconsideration of non-statutory guidance recommending fortnightly residual waste collections.

It argued that councils should have the flexibility to restrict the capacity and frequency of residual collections to motivate residents to waste less and recycle more.

LARAC also urged ministers to introduce greater enforcement powers over how residents dispose of waste for local authorities across all four UK nations.

It said enforcement had proven effective in improving the quality of collections in Scotland and Wales.

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