§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that the treatment of beverage containers confiscated by HM Customs and Excise conform with the Government's waste management strategy of reuse and recovery rather than disposal. [33221]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryCustoms and Excise is committed to support the Government's sustainable development strategy and this is reflected in the action that it has taken on the disposal of beverage containers.
Following a consultants' report on the best environmental options for the disposal of seized goods Customs intends to let a contract, or contracts, which will cover the disposal of beverage containers. It will seek the optimum recovery of liquor and packaging—glass, aluminium, cardboard and plastics—from these contracts.