HC Deb 20 February 1978 vol 944 c468W
Mr. Robert Taylor

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what was the value and tonnage of waste paper imports into the United Kingdom during each of the years 1976 and 1977; and what is his estimate of the effects of such imports on the attempts to encourage the recycling of waste.

Mr. Cryer

Imports of waste paper were:

  • 1976—100,161 tonnes, valued at £6.4 million
  • 1977—123,874 tonnes, valued at £9.4 million
Exports were:
  • 1976—54,930 tonnes, valued at £4.4 million
  • 1977—44,508 tonnes, valued at £3.8 million
Net imports were about 2½ per cent. by volume, of the totals collected and recycled in the United Kingdom, and thus had at most a marginal effect on attempts to encourage recycling.