§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the amount of garden waste produced in each of the last 10 years and; and if he will make a statement on(a) the Government's strategy for dealing with garden waste and (b) its policy towards incineration of garden waste. [90715]
§ Mr. MealeNo estimates are available for the total amount of garden waste arisings. 380,000 tonnes of municipal waste, including garden waste, were collected for centralised composting in England and Wales in 1997–98; 250,000 tonnes in 1996–97; and 150,000 tonnes in 1995–96. (Source: DETR Municipal Waste Survey). Estimates from local authorities suggest that a further 200,000–300,000 tonnes are composted each year at home. Data for earlier years were not collected.
(a) Our draft waste strategy "A Way with Waste" calls for substantial increases in composting and recycling. The Government will continue to work with key players to implement the recommendations of the Composting Development Group to overcome barriers to the marketing of waste-derived compost.
(b) Incineration with energy recovery should not be undertaken without consideration first being given to the possibility of composting and materials recycling. The final decision will rest with local authorities, and depend on their own circumstances and their assessment of the Best Practicable Environmental Option.