HC Deb 09 February 2000 vol 344 cc226-8W
Mr. Dobbin

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what policy she has on the recycling of materials produced by her Department. [108472]

Mr. Stringer

My Department's policy on recycling materials reflects our overall approach for waste management to reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.

We are currently preparing a sustainable development strategy for greening the Cabinet Office's and its Agencies' operations taking account of Government policies and best practice. This strategy will include waste reduction targets taking account of the Government target for all Departments to recover 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. We are undertaking a waste audit and will use the results of the audit to establish baselines, against which the targets can be set and performance measured. The Cabinet Office agencies are similarly working towards the Green Ministers target. We currently recycle paper, cardboard, bottles and cans.