§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage the reduction in use of virgin resources. [15709]
§ Angela EaglePrudent use of natural resources is an integral part of the Government's approach to sustainable development. We are currently reviewing the previous Government's Sustainable Development Strategy and a consultation paper is planned for early next year.
Areas which the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is currently pursuing include:
programmes for improving energy and environmental awareness which aim to encourage more sustainable patterns of consumption;an aim to increase the proportion of waste managed by options towards the top of the waste hierarchy, defined in the 1995 Waste Strategy Making Waste Work as reduction, re-use, recovery (including recycling, composting and energy production) and finally disposal;research on efficient use of aggregates and increased use of recycled and secondary materials, and a trial Aggregates Advisory Service. These initiatives will help to take forward policies for the sustainable use of minerals set out in the Department's existing Minerals Planning Guidance Notes; andsupport for the Government's commitment to sustainable management of woodland resources and an expansion of woodland cover, together with activities promoting the increased use of biomass wherever possible as a renewable source of energy.