§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the current progress of the Waste Management Advisory Council and the National Anti-Waste Programme.
§ Mr. MarksThe work being done by the Waste Management Advisory Council and the National Anti-Waste Organisation to stimulate the recycling of waste materials has its ultimate results in initiatives within industry, local authorities and voluntary organisations. Recent progress includes a project, with Government support, for a pilot plant to pyrolise used tyres; bottle banks for the collection of glass cullet; schemes for collection144W centres for waste textiles and aluminium; and increased interest in the collection of waste by voluntary organisations as a result of the NAWO guide to voluntary waste collection. In addition grants of over £6½ million have been approved for the paper and board industry to stimulate the recycling of waste paper.
§ Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will specify the practical implications of his national anti-waste programme for local authorities and the general programme.
§ Mr. MarksWe want to encourage local authorities to do whatever is practicable to reclaim household waste, either for recycling or for use as fuel, and to give whatever help they can to voluntary waste collections operating in their areas. Many are already running or co-operating in useful schemes. We hope that the two mechanical sorting plants now being constructed with Government support, in South Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear, will widen opportunities further.