HC Deb 31 July 1997 vol 299 cc632-3W
Ms Walley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans she has to introduce a waste minimisation strategy for her Department. [11550]

Mr. Nigel Griffiths

The DTI, as part of the environment management strategy and good housekeeping, has already adopted a number of measures to minimise waste management, includingEnergy efficiency—to reduce the overall consumption of the Department over a three-year period on the baseline figure of 1995–96. Waste paper—to increase the waste paper sent by the Department for recycling from 30 to 75 per cent. of paper purchased before the end of 1998; Ink/toner cartridges and cans—to recycle all spent cartridges and drink cans.

The strategy is of a proactive waste management with the continued emphasis on minimisation of waste that would need to be sent to landfill sites.

Ms Walley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will list the amount, and proportion, of paper recycled by her Department in each of the last five years. [11552]

Mr. Griffiths

The figures are available only from July 1996. In that period, the Department sent around 77 tonnes of paper for recycling. This represents 30 per cent. of the paper purchased by the Department. It is the aim of the Department to increase this to 75 per cent. before the end of 1998.

Ms Walley

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will make a statement on existing targets set to minimise waste within her Department. [11551]

Mr. Griffiths

The targets set by the Department to minimise waste areEnergy efficiency—to achieve a 5 per cent., or better, reduction in energy consumption over a three-year period on the base figure of 1995–96. Waste paper—to increase the waste paper sent for recycling from 30 to 75 per cent. of the paper purchased before the end of 1998; Ink/toner cartridges and cans—to recycle all spent cartridges and drink cans.