HC Deb 12 January 1994 vol 235 c230W
19. Mr. Marland

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken over the past year to encourage industry to make greater use of recycled materials.

Mr. McLoughlin

The main reason manufacturers use recycled materials is to gain competitive advantage.

We have seen levels of United Kingdom recycling increase in recent years. Between 1991 and 1992 the tonnages of recycled plastics rose by almost 20 per cent., of glass containers by almost 20 per cent. and of waste and paper board by 5 per cent.

We are looking to industry's response to the producer responsibility challenge to increase the use of recycled materials.