§ Mr. SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps has he taken this year to encourage recycling in industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThis year, my Department has continued to encourage recycling wherever economically viable. In addition, my right hon. Friend announced on 10 May details of the Department's new environment programme, which is aimed at raising industry's awareness of environmental issues, encouraging companies to take advantage of the growing market opportunities, at home and abroad, for environmentally benign products and pollution abatement and clean technology, and promoting waste minimisation, recovery and recycling. We are already among the leading nations in reclaiming such metals as copper, lead and zinc from scrap, and industry, local authorities, voluntary organisations and the general public are collaborating more and more to boost recovery of post-consumer wastes, such as glass, paper, aluminium and steel cans, and plastic bottles.
Most recently, my Department has established a new business and environment unit to give even more focus to our initiatives in this important area.