Correspondence from Dixons Group plc to
the Minister of State (Environment), 23 November 2001
EC REGULATION NO
2037/2000: THE DISPOSAL
OF UNWANTED
FRIDGES AND
FREEZERS
Further to our earlier correspondence I am writing
to follow up comments you made in written answers in the House
of Commons on 19 and 21 November.
In your reply to Mr Blizzard of 21 November
you said:
"Although the UK does not currently have
facilities capable of extracting ozone depleting substances, including
CFCs, from insulation foam, it is anticipated that some plant
may come on-line as early as spring 2002. My Department is finalising
measures to manage waste refrigeration equipment in the interim.
Advice on storage of waste refrigeration equipment will issue
shortly. We are currently considering funding options for local
authorities."
The news that plant may come on line as early
as Spring 2002 is very welcome, however it contradicts advice
that leading contractors in the industry have given us. We are
keen to follow up any initiative that may enable us to restore
the collection service we previously offered our customers.
I wonder if your Department would be willing
to inform us of which contractors might be willing or able to
provide such facilities in this time scale and what their capacity
might be. We would be interested in exploring what ever options
might be available with a view to making use of their facilities
as early as possible.
I would also like to record my dismay at the
reported comments of your department advising consumers not to
buy fridges until further notice. The Christmas holiday season,
in which families bulk purchase perishable foods, is one in which
many fridges and freezers are bought, most to meet a direct need
rather than for reasons of luxury or indulgence. I am surprised
if your department is urging consumers to hang onto aged or inadequate
refrigeration equipment given the health risk this could entail.
I need not add, I am sure, that the next 12 weeks are vital to
the retail calendar. I would be interested to know whether you
endorse your officials' reported advice.
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