§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the percentage of waste which was recycled by each local authority in each of the last three years. [40416]
§ Mr. ClappisonFollowing a commitment in the White Paper on waste "Making Waste Work", my Department launched in September a major new survey to collect data from local authorities on municipal waste arisings and waste treatment options, from which recycling rates may be derived. The results for 1995–96 are expected early in 1997, and the survey will be repeated annually in the spring thereafter. This initiative should significantly improve both the quantity and quality of data available on municipal waste management.
Separately, information on local authority recycling rates has been collected both by the Audit Commission, under its local authority performance indicators initiative, and by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy. Copies of the Audit Commission publications are available in the Library.