HC Deb 08 April 1998 vol 310 cc301-2W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps his Department is taking to encourage the growth of United Kingdom recycling industries. [37936]

Angela Eagle

There is already a national recycling industry, based around 100 Material Recycling Facilities and a large number of reprocessors for glass, metal, plastics and paper.

The Government are committed to an increased level of recycling and are therefore keen to see an expansion of this industry.

We have introduced a number of measures to achieve this.

an increase in the higher rate of landfill tax from £7 per tonne to£10 per tonne from April 1999;a review of the Packaging Regulations, to ensure that they meet their objective of doubling the recycling and recovery of packaging waste by 2001;publication of guidance to local authorities on revising and updating their recycling plans.

We have initiated discussions with representatives of local authorities, the waste management industry, reprocessors, manufacturers and trade associations to ascertain what further measures can be taken by both industry and Government to increase recycling.

We and colleagues in the DTI are examining the progress of the Producer Responsibility initiatives in end of life vehicles, newspapers, electrical and electronic goods, tyres, and batteries and the extent to which this initiative might be extended. Most of these sectors are also the subject of proposed EC legislation.

We shall review the waste strategy for England and Wales. A consultation paper is to be issued shortly. One of the main elements for the new strategy will be an examination of how we can improve our national performance on recycling.

Other drives will have a positive effect on the recycling industry in the longer term. As well as the continuing effect of the packaging legislation, these include: further guidance my Department will be issuing to local authorities on good practice later this year, and consideration by local authorities of joint municipal waste strategies with neighbouring authorities.