§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what action is being considered by his Department to encourage the use of returnable containers especially with regard to those made from glass and plastic.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Environmental Protection Bill will require every local authority involved in waste collection or disposal to make plans that will give priority to the recovery of containers for reuse and recycling wherever practicable. Different systems of recovery will be appropriate in different areas, but it is our intention to review all systems in preparing the White Paper on the environment and we hope to publish guidance for local authorities to assist them in their choice of method. In doing so we shall take account of all the environmental implications, including storage, energy and transport costs, when comparing the use of returnable containers with those that can more easily be recycled.