§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental implications of introducing variable charges for the collection of domestic household waste. [187278]
§ Mr. Morley"Waste not, Want not—A strategy for tackling the waste problem in England" (Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, 27 November 2002) recommended that local authorities which wish to take forward variable charging or household incentive schemes to help reduce waste volumes and increase recycling should be allowed to do so.
In line with their response to the Strategy Unit report, the Government has undertaken further work, in consultation with local authorities, on the practicalities of operating schemes and how potential disadvantages could be overcome. This work also analysed international experience of such schemes, including their impact on reducing waste and increasing recycling. In light of this work, the Government is reviewing their position.