§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what percentage of the glass used in the drinks and beverage industry is recycled for reuse; and what steps the Government are prepared to take to prevent the waste of this national resource.
§ Mr. CryerI have been asked to reply.
The percentage of glass bottles for beverages which are returnable for reuse varies with the product packaged. It ranges from nil for wine and spirits bottles, 30 per cent. for carbonated soft drinks, and 64 per cent. for beer and cider to 100 per cent for milk bottles. The Waste Management Advisory Council is giving further consideration to the case for extending the use of returnable bottles. My Department, together with the Department of the Environment, maintains a close liaison with the glass container industry in its efforts to increase the reclamation and recycling of waste glass, and to find new applications for waste glass, and will be holding further talks with the industry on these subjects.