HC Deb 26 November 1990 vol 181 c277W
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what incentives he will bring forward to persuade industry to use recyclable materials.

Mr. Leigh

My Department fully recognises the importance of providing outlets for recycled materials, and that industry should use materials which are themselves recyclable, in order to ensure the achievement of the Government's recycling targets. We have taken, and are continuing to take, a wide range of initiatives to this end. These include conferences and literature to encourage businesses to design products with recycling in mind; assisting the development of new industry standards to encourage the use of recyclable and recycled products; and, as my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 27 September, the introduction of new schemes of support for businesses in the environmental area which embrace recycling technology. In addition, we are commissioning research activity to identify the scope for greater use and application of recyclable materials, and we are in active discussion with many industrial sectors to identify ways to stimulate recycling.