We should remind ourselves of the different ways in which an effective waste management regime is important. The more obvious dimension relates to environmental protection. We can all readily see how crucially important it is from the perspective of preventing environmental pollution that we have systems, structures and processes in place to ensure our waste is managed to the highest environmental standards. We need policies and systems that focus on preventing waste arising in the first place. Where it does arise – a certain degree of it will always arise – we must ensure we do everything we can to minimise it. We need systems which ensure facilities for the recovery and disposal of waste are effectively regulated and that those involved in the collection and transport of waste are permitted and regulated. Equally, we need across the board systems which ensure there is an effective and timely enforcement regime in place in order to deal with those who try to operate outside the regulatory regime.