§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason she estimates the percentage of glass recycled decreased last year. [85837]
§ Mr. MeacherMost of the glass recovered for recycling is in packaging. The tonnages of glass packaging waste recycled in the UK in the last few years show an upward trend, rather than a decrease. The figures are as follows:
Number 1998 503,800 1999 582,577 2000 715,037 2001 735,594
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many452W (a) mobile phones and (b) printer cartridges were (i) recycled, (ii) reused overseas and (iii) disposed of within the UK waste stream in each year since 1990; [85852]
(2) what research has been conducted (a) by and (b) for her Department relating to the recycling and reuse of (i) mobile phones and (ii) printer cartridges. [85854]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 11 December 2002]: There are no accurate figures on the number of mobile phones discarded in the UK, although it is estimated that around 15 million are replaced each year. An independent consumer survey carried out as part of a pilot study in 1997 for 'Mobile Take Back UK' shows that in the UK very few phones are actually discarded. The majority of people keep old phones, give them to relatives, or store them for emergency use. However, a number of schemes are now collecting mobile phones for refurbishment and recycling. A certain number of refurbished phones are also sold to eastern Europe, Asia and Africa where there is a strong second hand market.
Approximately 40 million printer cartridges are sold annually. Remanufactured supplier cartridges account for between 15–20 per cent. of the sector.
No research has been done to date either by or for the Department on the recycling and reuse of mobile phones and printer cartridges.
§ Mr. PriskTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase funding for local authority recycling schemes. [86284]
§ Mr. MeacherThe 2002 Spending Review increased the local authority Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) spending block, which includes waste management. EPCS spending will increase by £671 million by 2005–06.
Over the same period, Defra has been allocated £355 million of future PFI credits for waste projects. This is around 60 per cent. more than the provision in SR2000. We will use these funds to help local authorities increase their recycling levels.
The 112 schemes that were approved in the first round of the ring-fenced National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund of £140 million for local authority recycling are now receiving funding and being put into action. A further 142 schemes have now been successful in the second round of bidding with funding amounting to 76.3 million next year.
In addition to these funds, following the publication of the report on waste by the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, a ministerial group has been formed to take forward their recommendations, specifically including those relating to funding for waste.