§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much recycled glass, metal, paper and plastic was used in manufacturing industry in each year from 1980 to 1990; and what measures his Department is implementing to encourage the increase of recycling.
§ Mr. LeighThe information is as follows:
Amount of scrap used in the manufacturing process (thousands of tonnes): Year Glass1 Ferrous Metal2 Aluminium Paper Plastic 1980 55 n.a. 142 2,009 n.a. 1981 n.a. 8,220 130 1,932 n.a. 1982 110 7,460 133 1,854 n.a. 1983 n.a. 7,700 144 1,827 n.a. 1984 161 7,030 137 2,003 n.a. 1985 215 6,757 122 2,067 n.a. 1986 228 6,410 110 2,147 n.a. 1987 233 6,835 111 2,306 n.a. 1988 264 7,466 100 2,454 n.a. 1989 308 7,669 104 2,578 0.15/0.16 1990 372 7,190 114 2,847 0.20 1 Used in container glass manufacturing. 2 Scrap used in steel production. Source: Warren Spring Laboratory.
713WHigh recycling levels can be encouraged by the increased consumption of recyclable and recycled materials by industry and, indeed, by Government. My Department takes the lead on a number of initiatives to aid this process. For example, the purchase of recycled paper and board products currently accounts for some 66 per cent. of my Department's headquarters total stationery spend. We also provide financial assistance to business to develop projects which seek to recycle unavoidable waste, via two schemes: ETIS—environmental technology innovation scheme—a joint Department of Trade and Industry/Department of the Environment scheme aimed at encouraging innovation and improved environmental standards; and DEMOS, the DTI environmental options scheme, which is designed to promote spread of best environmental practice among companies. Both schemes have a particular focus on recycling, including recycling of manufacturing waste.