§ Mr. David Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will undertake consultations with industry with a view to preventing the extension of the use of non-returnable bottles;
(2) if he will undertake consultations with industry with a view to reducing waste and consequent pollution from the packaging of goods.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsThree working parties covering the use of plastics, metal and glass in packaging have been set up by the industries concerned and include representatives from interested Government Departments including the Department of the Environment. Their reports should provide a useful guide for action.
§ Mr. David Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations he has had with local authorities concerning the recycling of waste materials.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsAdvice concerning the recycling of waste materials from refuse is included in the report of my Department's Working Party on Refuse Disposal, which was sent to local authorities in April 1971. Circumstances vary, and recycling is not always economic or free from technical problems.
§ Mr. David Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will set up a commission to examine future methods of waste disposal with particular reference to recycling materials where appropriate.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsComprehensive advice on methods of waste disposal was given in my Department's Working Party's report on Refuse Disposal, which was published in April 1971. The report includes references to possible future132W methods of waste disposal and advice on the recovery of waste materials from refuse. In addition the Department's Standing Committee on Research into Refuse Collection, Storage and Disposal has recently published its first report. Research projects into several aspects of waste disposal, including reclamation, are being undertaken by my Department on the recommendation of this committee.