§ 2. Mr. CoeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made towards the Government's target of recycling 25 per cent. of reusable household waste.
§ Mr. AtkinsRecovery of household waste will increase dramatically as a result of the producer responsibility challenges which we have set for the packaging and newsprint industries and others.
Packaging alone is over 20 per cent. of household waste and the industry draft plan aims to recover 58 per cent. of packaging waste by 2000 and to extend close-to-home recycling facilities to eight out of 10 homes.
§ 19. Mr. OttawayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he has taken to encourage recycling.
§ Mr. GummerOur policy is to help promote recycling through a wide range of measures including the recent producer responsibility initiative, which means that those who make and sell products and packaging should take a share of responsibility for the beneficial re-use of their waste. Current producer responsibility initiatives cover packaging, newspapers, batteries, tyres, vehicles and electronic equipment.