Plastic Bottles (Hansard, 12 May 2003)

§ Mr. Pike
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has held with her ministerial colleagues on promoting the use of plastic alcohol bottles in bars and clubs; and if she will make a statement. [108014]

§ Mr. Meacher
Officials of Government Departments are working closely with the Prime Ministers Strategy Unit on their study to produce a national strategy for reducing the harm associated with alcohol misuse. The study is paying particular attention to the issue of alcohol-related violence, and views have been sought and obtained from a wide variety of organisations and individuals.

§ Mr. Pike
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received to encourage increased use of plastic bottles in bars and clubs from(a) the police, (b) environmental agencies and (c) other interested parties; and if she will make a statement. [108015]

§ Mr. Meacher
This Department has not received any representations regarding the use of plastic bottles in bars and clubs from environmental agencies or other interested parties.
With regard to the public order aspect of the question, Home Office Officials have not held any recent discussions with representatives of the British Beer and Pub Association or other organisations on what can be done to promote the use of plastic bottles. Representations have been received from one individual, advocating a switch from glass to plastic bottles in the UK licensed trade to minimise the risk of glass-related injuries taking place.
As indicated in the reply given on 29 March 2003, Official Report, column 457W, we remain concerned about the high level of injuries that occur when glasses and bottles are used as weapons in drink-related situations in and outside licensed premises and other drinking establishments, and we intend to see that this problem is effectively tackled. The Licensing Bill Guidance that has been published in draft by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will include a range of conditions that a licensing authority could impose on a premises to address violence of this form.
4W

§ Mr. Pike
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many(a) glass alcohol bottles and (b) plastic alcohol bottles were recycled in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [108016]

§ Mr. Meacher
We have no specific information on the proportion of the glass and plastic that is recycled from alcohol bottles.

§ Mr. Pike
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what evidence she has collated on the practicality of recycling(a) plastic and (b) glass alcohol bottles; and if she will make a statement. [108017]

§ Mr. Meacher
The recycled amount of glass packaging going into the waste stream has increased since 1998. The figures are as follows:

1998–23 per cent.

1999–27 per cent.

2000–33 per cent.

2001–33 per cent.

The recycle-more-glass scheme collects mixed glass for recycling free of charge from pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars. After 18 months it has signed up over 16,000 premises nationwide. The scheme collects 60,000 tonnes of glass a year, the equivalent to nearly 200 million bottles and jars.
We are not aware of similar schemes for collection and recycling of plastic bottles from pubs and clubs.