§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what advice he has given to manufacturers of women's sanitary products on the use of plastics in these products;
(2) If he intends to issue guidelines to manufacturers of women's sanitary products on the use of plastics in these products;
(3) If his Department has investigated the impact of the use of plastics in the manufacture of sanitary products upon marine pollution;
(4) What assessment he has made of the extent of the marine pollution problem caused by the use of plastics in women's sanitary products;
(5) If he will hold talks with representatives of water authorities over the use of plastics in women's sanitary products.
(6) what measures his Department has taken to encourage women to bag and bin sanitary products rather than dispose of such products through the sewerage system.
§ Mr. AtkinsDiscussions have been held with the Association of Sanitary Protection Manufacturers, the sewerage undertakers and other interested parties on ways to reduce the environmental problems posed by disposal of these products through the sewerage system. Product design, instructions to consumers on the methods of disposal and improvements to sewerage systems have been discussed. The provision of treatment for all significant discharges of sewage to the sea is expected to bring a major reduction of the problem. The Department 385W supports action to persuade consumers to dispose of used products in ways which respect the environment, and is encouraging a national "bag it, bin it" campaign, which is being developed by the water industry. The need for up-to-date and accurate information for the public on issues of this sort will also be addressed through the Government's "Going for Green" initiative.
§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he has considered declassifying women's sanitary products and nappies as clinical waste.
(2) what considerations apply to the disposal of women's sanitary products (a) via the sewerage system and (b) in household waste; what advice his Department issues on the subject; and if he will make a statement.
(3) if he will review the list of objects classified as clinical waste;
(4) if he has considered the practical problems caused by the classification of sanitary products and nappies as clinical waste.
§ Mr. AtkinsClinical waste is now defined in the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992. Guidance on what may fall within the definition of clinical waste is given in waste management paper 25. This guidance has been reviewed and a draft of revised guidance was issued for consultation in August last year.
The Department considers that small quantities of sanitary waste from healthy households are non-hazardous and do not need to be dealt with in the same way as, for example, wastes from hospitals. The revised edition of waste management paper 25, to be published shortly, will urge a pragmatic approach to be taken by the regulatory authorities to this controlled waste stream. It will make it clear that disposal with normal household waste, if securely wrapped, can be an acceptable option.
The Department supports action to persuade consumers to dispose of used products in ways that respect the environment and is encouraging a national "bag it, bin it" campaign being developed by the water industry.