§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of waste produced in her Department was(a) recycled, (b) composted and (c) re-used, broken down into (i) paper, (ii) plastics, (iii) aluminium cans and (iv) other, in each year since 1997; what plans there are to increase the proportions; and if she will make a statement. [65693]
§ Ms HewittUp to June 2002 the DTI used a variety of waste contractors, who operated their own waste minimisation techniques, including minimisation at source, re-use, recycling and energy recovery. An accurate figure for the proportion of waste recycled, composted, reused and segregated from 1997 to date could be obtained only at disproportionate expense. However, I attach a high importance to monitoring arid improving on current waste outputs, and a total waste management tender has been developed and has taken effect from July 1 2002. The successful contractor will be required to report on the percentage of waste streams that are recovered, while ensuring that the following targets are achieved:
Recovery target (As a percentage of waste handled) Recycling/composting target (As a percentage of waste recovered) 2002–03 60 45 2003–04 70 55 2004–05 80 65 Initially the targets will be achieved through paper and card recycling but the tender specification requires the contractor to investigate innovative techniques for recovering other waste streams, including metals, plastics and glass.