§ 102. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has received a protest from the London Borough of Wandsworth about pollution of the environment by non-returnable containers; and what action he proposes to take to assist local authorities to cope with the problem.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe London Borough of Wandsworth wrote to the Department of the Environment on 5th November drawing attention to the increasing use of non-returnable containers of all types, but particularly drink containers made of plastic or tin, and the effect on the litter collection and refuse372W collection and disposal services of local authorities. Proper disposal of used drink containers to dustbins and litter bins does not constitute a threat of pollution of the environment, but consideration is being given to the problems arising from the growth of various forms of packaging in the light of the comments of the Working Party on Refuse Disposal. In this connection, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Joyce Butler) on 16th November, 1971.—[Vol. 826, c. 118.]