§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he 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 his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement. [98225]
§ Mr. StrawMy Department is working towards implementing the new Government-wide target to recover a minimum of 40 per cent. of total office waste, with at 793W least 25 per cent. of that recovery coming from recycling or composting. My Department's approach to waste management is based on the three "R"'s with "Recovery" (i.e. recycling, composting and energy recovery) following "Reduce" and "Re-use" as the preferred options for reducing waste sent to landfill. We have set no individual targets for paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic and other materials, although paper is recycled in most offices and a number of Home Office sites also recycle cardboard and glass.
My Department is about to undertake pilot waste minimisation schemes in three different types of buildings on the estate with the aim of reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill.
The Prison Service has a vital role to play in reducing waste. They have recently set up a service wide waste management project. The project will identify areas where wastage can be reduced and will address the efficient and effective disposal of prison waste and the recycling of usable waste. The primary aims are to reduce the amount of prison generated waste that is sent to landfill sites and to reduce the demand and consumption of items of clothing and equipment. Recyclable materials, such as paper, cardboard, metal and plastics will be reprocessed and re-usable clothing and equipment items channelled back into the prison estate.