You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Hansard > Commons Debates > Commons Debates by date > Commons Debates - previous sessions > Bound Volume Hansard - Written Answers
Previous Section Index Home Page
13 Sept 2004 : Column 1414W—continued

Household Waste

Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental implications of introducing variable charges for the collection of domestic household waste. [187278]

Mr. Morley: "Waste not, Want not—A strategy for tackling the waste problem in England" (Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, 27 November 2002) recommended that local authorities which wish to take forward variable charging or household incentive schemes to help reduce waste volumes and increase recycling should be allowed to do so.

In line with their response to the Strategy Unit report, the Government has undertaken further work, in consultation with local authorities, on the practicalities of operating schemes and how potential disadvantages could be overcome. This work also analysed international experience of such schemes, including their impact on reducing waste and increasing recycling.

In light of this work, the Government is reviewing their position.

Radio Barcodes (Waste Disposal)

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with retailers about the final waste disposal of radio barcodes contained within consumer goods. [187621]

Mr. Morley: I have not discussed the final waste disposal of radio barcodes contained within consumer goods with retailers.

Recycling

Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made towards meeting recycling targets of 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. [187011]

Mr. Morley: All local authorities in England have been set challenging Statutory Performance Standards for 2003–04 and 2005–06 for the recycling and composting of household waste. Individual local authority targets combine to meet national targets as set out in Waste Strategy 2000 to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003–04, and 25 per cent. by 2005–06.

In 2002–03, the household recycling and composting rate for England was 14.5 per cent., a 2 per cent. increase over 2001–02. This percentage rise represents a significant improvement compared with previous annual increases, which had tended to be around 1 per cent. (as measured by the Municipal Waste Management Survey).

The most recent evidence, offered by local authorities' unaudited Best Value Performance Indicator data for 2003–04, suggests that the 2003–04 national target of 17 per cent. will be met. The national target for 2005–06 remains a significant challenge but an achievable goal if the current rate of progress is maintained.
 
13 Sept 2004 : Column 1415W
 

Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to encourage the recycling of plastic; and if she will list those local authorities which operate (a) kerbside and (b) other plastic recycling schemes. [187830]

Mr. Morley [holding answer 8 September 2004]: All local authorities in England have been set challenging Statutory Performance Standards for 2003–04 and 2005–06 for the recycling and composting of household waste. The Government do not specify which materials local authorities are required to collect. The Statutory Performance Standards are weight based so initially local authorities are likely to recycle heavier materials. However, as recycling targets become increasingly demanding, local authorities are expected to target lighter materials such as plastics.

To make the recycling of plastic more economically attractive the Government-funded Waste Resources and Action Programme (WRAP) has developed a programme to expand markets for plastic recyclate. As a result of WRAP activity since 2001 in excess of 35,000 additional tonnes of plastic recycling capacity per year is either operational, under construction or otherwise committed.

According to the Municipal Waste Management Survey 2002–03 the following local authorities operated (a) a kerbside collection scheme, or (b) other plastic recycling schemes.

Local authorities operating a kerbside plastic collection scheme in 2002–03


 
13 Sept 2004 : Column 1416W
 


 
13 Sept 2004 : Column 1417W
 

Local authorities operating a non-kerbside plastic recycling scheme


 
13 Sept 2004 : Column 1418W
 

Next Section Index Home Page