HC Deb 30 July 1997 vol 299 cc334-5W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for his Department. [11556]

Mr. Ron Davies

Waste reduction is already an established and important aspect of my Department's strategy to enhance its environmental performance.

Annual Welsh Office green housekeeping action plans feature various schemes and initiatives which are improving efficiency and reducing adverse environmental effects. In particular, substantial quantities of waste paper, aluminium cans, toner cartridges, plastics, old wooden pallets and polythene packaging are being recycled.

The Welsh Office is committed to making its waste work and looking to do even better in future. Welsh Office staff are regularly encouraged to improve performance in this area, including the minimisation of waste at source.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by his Department in each of the last five years. [11558]

Mr. Davies

Waste paper recycling was introduced in the Welsh Office at the end of 1992. The quantities of paper recycled by my Department in each of the four years since are:

  • 1993–94: 37,900 kg
  • 1994–95: 24,640 kg
  • 1995–96: 104,380 kg
  • 1996–97: 104,800 kg

Expectations for the current financial year are higher and a target of 140,000 kg has been set.

Information relating to the proportion of waste paper recycled is not held centrally.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within his Department. [11557]

Mr. Davies

My Department has a range of targets in place aimed at reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfill. This year, the Welsh Office aims to recycle 140,000 kg of waste paper, 7,500 aluminium cans and 600 printer toner cartridges. Old wooden pallets and polythene packaging, which have previously gone to landfill are now sent for recycling. More recently, the Welsh Office has introduced a new scheme for the collection of plastic cups, which is directing around 25,000 of these items away from landfill each months.

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