HC Deb 19 December 1990 vol 183 cc164-5W
Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what measures he will implement to encourage local authorities to move towards a target of 50 per cent. recycling of domestic refuse where such treatment of waste is more costly that the traditional landfilling;

(2) if it is proposed that under the Environmental Protection Act, municipal solid waste disposal costs will be compared with municipal solid waste recycling costs;

(3) how the costs for the disposal of municipal solid wastes and recycling will be calculated; and what account will be taken of collection, transport and man hours;

(4) which of the waste disposal authority or its waste collection authority in the event of collection authorities contracting directly with a waste recycler will be financially liable for the costs of an operation.

Mr. Baldry

My Department will be consulting early next year about the new duty on waste disposal authorities to pay credits in respect of the costs of disposal of household waste avoided by recycling. We are currently developing a method for the calculation of credits. It will be up to each organisation which undertakes recycling to assess viability in the light of costs, benefits and credits available. We do not expect recycling to take place where it is economically and environmentally unviable.

Mr. Janman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how authorities' assets will be valued before being transferred to a local authority waste disposal contractor; and what liabilities will be attached to existing landfill sites as an ongoing financial responsibility for such local authority waste disposal contractors.

Mr. Baldry

Advice on valuation of assets will be included in a draft circular giving advice on the new arrangements for waste disposal under the Environmental Protection Act and on local authority waste disposal companies. This draft circular should be available early in, the new year. Full liability for restoration and after-care costs of existing landfill sites will transfer with sites.