Government most successful at meeting waste targets

The think-tank's study, which examined 132 government white papers and speeches from 1997 to 2008, found that 67% of 27 waste targets had been met or were likely to be met.

However, 19% had failed or were likely to fail, and 15% of waste targets were unable to be examined.

One waste target that the researchers found was unlikely to be met was to reduce the use of single-use shopping bags by 25% by the end of 2008, through a retailer commitment.

In transport, the government had met just 17% of targets, compared with 17% for water, 25% for biodiversity, 31% for rural and 35% for climate change.

The report said: "The key differences between waste and other less successful policy areas are that targets were set well in advance and on an escalating scale.

"Also targets were underpinned by a clear and powerful policy commitment in the form of the Landfill Tax Escalator."

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