WATA calls on Government to publish National Emergency Plan for Fuel as sector faces mounting risk  

The Washed Aggregates Trade Association (WATA) is calling on the UK Government to urgently set out how it will implement its National Emergency Plan for Fuel, amid growing concerns that ongoing global supply disruption could significantly impact the waste and recycling sector.

As the war in the Middle East continues to affect global oil supply routes, WATA is warning that its members, and the wider waste and recycling industry, are increasingly exposed to both a fuel shortage and on-going price volatility.

The UK’s £24 billion waste and recycling sector supports more than 140,000 jobs and underpins a construction industry worth over £100 billion annually.

Within this, the supply of recycled and washed aggregates play a critical role in delivering sustainable materials, maintaining environmental standards, supporting construction supply chains and ensuring the responsible management and reuse of materials across the UK.

However, the whole sector is dependent on reliable and affordable fuel for transport, processing and site operations.

Andy Hill, CEO of WATA, said: “Waste and recycling is an essential service that underpins both environmental protection and the circular economy. Without access to reliable fuel supplies, the sector simply cannot operate effectively.

“While we recognise that this is a fast-moving and complex global situation, it is vital that Government provides clarity and sets out how it plans to safeguard essential industries if disruption continues, including confirming which sectors are deemed critical and how access to fuel for these sectors will be protected in the event of shortages.

“We’re particularly concerned that, in the absence of a clear action plan, waste and recycling operators could face significant operational challenges whether through fuel shortages, restricted access or further increases in cost.

“This is not just a sector issue. Any disruption to waste and recycling services has direct implications for public health, infrastructure projects and the UK’s environmental commitments.”

WATA is calling on the Government to:

• Urgently communicate how it will implement its National Emergency Plan for Fuel and its prioritisation strategy for essential sectors
• Prioritise the waste and recycling sector for fuel in the event of any supply issues, as was done during the Covid Pandemic
• Allow the temporary use of red diesel for businesses in the sector operating machinery, including washed aggregate plants
• Cut taxes on fuel duty and suspend the forthcoming fuel duty rise for business in the waste and recycling industry

The Association emphasises that early clarity will be critical in maintaining operational continuity and avoiding unnecessary disruption across the supply chain.