Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he last met representatives from the British Plastics Federation and when he next plans to meet the British Plastics Federation to discuss the implementation of recyclable plastic bottles and containers in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ForthI met representatives of the British Plastics Federation at the "Plastics Recycling—Future Challenges" conference dinner in September. However, the question of how to achieve optimum recycling levels of plastic bottles and containers is not a matter solely for the British Plastics Federation. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Dalyell) on 17 October at column12 which lists a number of inititatives that are relevant to increasing the proportion of these products which is recycled. The British Plastics Federation is a member of the advisory group referred to in the reply.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has made any recent study on the benefits to United Kingdom industry of raw materials recycling from commercial, domestic and industrial wastes; and if he will make a statement on the current status of the United Kingdom national recycling programme.
§ Mr. ForthThere has been no recent study, but it is estimated that last year our reclamation industries recovered about 27 million tonnes of recyclable materials worth about £2 billion. United Kingdom industry traditionally recycles about 95 per cent. of its process 15W scrap, and we also recover more than 80 per cent. of the ferrous metal, 75 per cent. of the copper, 65 per cent. of the lead, and 60 per cent. of the aluminium from our scrap and waste resources. The Department has recently formed an advisory group of individuals with special expertise on, or responsibilities for, recycling, to assist in developing a national recycling strategy.