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Packaging minimisation, better recycling, improved waste collection and an end to free plastic carrier bags are at the heart of the government's new waste strategy for England.

Environment secretary David Miliband said today (May 24) that reducing waste would be an essential part of the drive to tackle climate change, and asked companies to be more environmentally responsible, including cutting packaging.

“We need not only to recycle and reuse waste, but also prevent it in the first place,” he said.

However, the Local Government Association (LGA) criticised the strategy for “leaving vital questions unanswered”.

“The strategy depends on voluntary agreements to cut packaging and waste, but manufacturers and retailers should be under the same legal and financial pressures as councils,” said LGA chairman Sandy Bruce-Lockhart.

The government’s goal is for 40% of household waste to be recycled by 2010 – rising to 50% by 2020. Several options, such as separate food waste collection, are being looked at to achieve this.

Possible schemes for carrier bag taxes and charging for household waste collection, which would give more power to local authorities, are also under consideration.