HC Deb 13 February 1998 vol 306 cc415-6W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to choose a recycling route for waste management in place of incineration; [28509]

(2) what independent scientific advice he has sought in respect of the optimum size of a waste to energy facility which will not undermine the potential for mechanical recovery of recyclables; [28459]

(3) what steps he is taking to ensure that each local authority regularly receives the option of establishing a properly balanced waste management strategy. [28460]

Angela Eagle

The option to establish a properly balanced waste management strategy is open to all local authorities at any time. It is for each local authority to decide on its use of the various waste management options within its available resources.

In October 1997 I announced that the Government accepted in full the recommendations of the Review Group on the Local Authority Role in Recycling, which reported in February 1997. One of its key recommendations was that Waste Disposal Authorities should work closely with their constituent Waste Collection Authorities to establish a fully integrated municipal waste management strategy.

The Department is also shortly to issue revised guidance to local authorities on the preparation and revision of recycling plans. I hope that all local authorities will look at all the available options for managing waste in developing an integrated municipal waste management strategy with other authorities, the public, the private and voluntary sectors. Recycling is to be preferred to incineration with recovery if and when it represents the best practicable environmental option. Equally, incineration with energy recovery is generally likely to be preferable to disposal.

That guidance also advises authorities developing integrated strategies that the high capital costs of energy from waste plants generally require long-term waste contracts to be agreed. Local authorities considering energy from waste will therefore wish to guard against over-reliance on this option, and will wish to take a view on likely future developments in waste management practices and technology. In particular, they will wish to ensure that the use of energy from waste plants does not divert waste from recycling and composting, and, indeed, allows scope for increases in recycling and composting activity.

The Department has not sought independent scientific advice on the optimum size for waste to energy incinerators.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on accelerating public inquiry procedures for waste incineration at waste to energy plants. [28507]

Mr. Raynsford

I am not aware of any specific representations on accelerating public inquiry procedures for waste incineration at waste to energy plants, although my officials maintain a regular dialogue with the Energy from Waste trade association.