§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry, in view of the large quantity of glass derived from hotel and household refuse and dumped in local authority tips, if he will encourage local authorities to introduce some form of collection service for glass or solid waste separation so that the cullet may be secured for recycling.
§ Mr. MeacherAlthough the glass industry aims to use more cullet in the manufacture of new glass, and to find new uses for this material, the present demand can be met from existing sources of supply.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the percentage of total glass produced in the United Kingdom, in any year for which figures are available, which (a) is used for recycling, (b) could be used as a cullet for further manufacturing processes if an agreed specification was reached, and (c) is dumped by local authorities in tips throughout the country.
§ Mr. MeacherNo precise figures under these headings are available. However, the Glass Manufacturers Federation estimates that in 1971 22 per cent. of glass container production came from recycling and the industry aims to increase this figure by a further 5 per cent., which 117W could be assisted by an agreed specification for cullet. Available estimates relating to dumping by local authorities are so out of date as to be of little guidance.