§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy regarding the recycling of information technology equipment within his Department and relevant agencies and to other Government departments or agencies; and what arrangements have been made in this respect. [23277]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 21 January 1998]: Since April 1994, a contract has been in place providing for the recycling of laser printer and ink jet printer cartridges. A scheme to recycle mobile phones is currently in negotiation.
The recycling of information technology equipment such as personal computers is currently the responsibility of local MOD management units and Agencies, and occurs either within their organisations or via third party suppliers. The Department is, however, currently seeking 623W to let a contract for recycling of information technology equipment. When a central contract is in place all MOD establishments and Agencies will be able to take advantage of this arrangement.
We have no specific arrangements covering the recycling of information technology equipment with other Government Departments or Agencies. However, the Disposal Sales Agency have in place arrangements to dispose of IT equipment which is unsuitable for recycling within the Department on the open market once it has been cleared of all classified information. Eighteen other Government Departments and Agencies outside the MOD currently make use of these arrangements to dispose of their IT equipment.