HC Deb 26 October 2001 vol 373 cc412-3W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to change the amount of household municipal waste generated in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [8083]

Mr. Meacher

Tackling the amount of waste produced is the first priority in the hierarchy for waste management decisions set out in the Government's Waste Strategy 2000. Measures aimed at encouraging waste minimisation include Government support for the National Waste Awareness Initiative to encourage householders to reduce their household waste and guidance to local authorities on their powers under the Waste Minimisation Act 1998.

The Government have implemented the Packaging Directive and a voluntary agreement on newsprint. Further legislation on electrical and electronic equipment and batteries will follow and a voluntary agreement on direct mail and promotions (junk mail) is planned. These are all designed to reduce the amount of waste arising from these products and their impact on the household waste stream.

Harry Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to(a) strengthen regulations and (b) transpose European Community directives with regard to waste incineration; and if she will make a statement. [9121]

Mr. Meacher

The Waste Incineration Directive (2000/76/EC) requires transposition by 28 December 2002. The Directive sets challenging targets which will apply to new incinerators from 28 December 2002 and to existing incinerators from 28 December 2005. Options for implementation, including proposals for amending regulations, are being developed, and will be consulted on in due course.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to alter paragraph 19 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994; and if she will make a statement. [8609]

Mr. Meacher

We are currently reviewing several of the exemptions provided in Regulation 17 of and Schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, including two exemptions subject to allegations of abuse (paragraphs 9 and 19). We propose to amend these exemptions to encourage genuine waste recovery operations, to preclude their use for "sham recovery", and to ensure that human health and the environment are protected.

We intend to issue a consultation paper with draft regulations later this year.

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