§ 24. Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent representations she has received on the recycling of fridges and freezers: and if she will make a statement. [63028]
§ Mr. MeacherWe have received five representations on the recycling of fridges and freezers since 14 May 2002. The representations have mostly been from the local authorities regarding funding and from consumers on how to dispose of old fridges.
We realise local authorities are in need of further funding and intend to make an announcement as soon as possible.
A leaflet for householders advising on how to dispose of old fridges, originally only on the DEFRA website, has now been published in hard copy as well, and widely distributed. Guidance on the disposal of commercial refrigeration equipment has been placed on the website and recently published in hard copy.
§ 28. Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress has been made in implementing new recycling plants for refrigerators and freezers. [63033]
§ Mr. MeacherInvestors are in the process of providing a network of new recycling facilities in the United Kingdom. Two mobile plant are up and running and three further static plant will be operational by the end of July.
998WThis should be sufficient to reprocess 1.2 million fridges a year. Further plant are scheduled to come online by the end of the year.