HC Deb 11 November 1999 vol 337 cc824-5W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to set targets for the recycling of waste(a) paper, (b) cardboard, (c) glass, (d) metal, (e) plastic and (f) other products created by her Department and its agencies; and if she will make a statement. [98216]

Mr. Stringer

My Department's approach to waste management is based on the three Rs: with Recovery (ie. recycling, composting and energy recovery) following Reduce and Re-use as the preferred options for reducing waste sent to landfill. This should help us to achieve: the Green Ministers' target for Government Departments of recovering a minimum of 40 per cent. of total office waste, with at least 25 per cent. of that recovery coming from recycling or composting in 2000–01, as published in "Greening Government: First Annual Report of the Green Ministers Committee 1998–99". We are developing individual targets for paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic and other materials. Our associate bodies are similarly working towards the Green Ministers target.