§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Industry what help his Department has given to industry and others seeking to reclaim polythene and similar substances from waste.
§ Mr. CryerThe processing of scrap and waste materials is a qualifying activity under the Industry Act 1972 and, under Section 7 of the Act, Reclamat International Ltd. was given an interest relief grant of £40,800 in 1976 for the reprocessing of plastic waste. No assistance has yet been awarded under Section 8 of the Industry Act to companies seeking to reclaim polyethylene—commonly known as "polythene"—or other plastic materials. Several United Kingdom companies are successfully recycling plastics, either into new articles or into granules for moulding by the plastics industry. With encouragement of the Waste Management Advisory Council officials of my Department have recently met the British Plastics Federation Environment Committee. As a result of this meeting, a survey is now being carried out to identify plastic waste arisings. This will indicate opportunities for plastic material recycling.