§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to develop and promote research into and incentives for the recycling of plastics. [45987]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 17 June 1998]We are committed to an increased level of recycling, and are currently reviewing our national waste strategy. This is aimed at reducing the amount of waste produced and ensuring its environmentally sound management. The recycling of plastics will be covered by the new strategy.
We have held discussions with a number of organisations involved in plastics recycling to ascertain what further measures can be taken by both industry and Government to increase recycling.
Plastics constitutes a significant proportion of packaging waste. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 aim to double the amount of packaging waste (including plastics) recovered to around 50 per cent. by 2001. The Regulations also impose a material-specific recycling target of 16 per cent. for each packaging material — including plastic packaging—to be achieved by 2001.