HC Deb 26 February 2001 vol 363 c328W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have to introduce recycling bins to all households. [150657]

Mr. Robert Ainsworth

Waste Strategy 2000 announced our intention to set statutory performance standards for household waste recycling and composting for 2003, 2005 and 2010. The overall impact will be to raise national recycling rates to at least 17 per cent. in 2003–04 and at least 25 per cent. in 2005–06. It is for individual authorities to decide how best to achieve these targets in the light of local circumstances.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 authorities may specify the type of receptacle in which waste for collection is to be placed, and may choose to provide separate receptacles, for example for recyclables, free of charge.