§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what percentage of biomass suitable for renewable energy generation was sent to landfill in the UK in 2002; and what the figure was for each other E U member; [124560]
(2) what the latest calculation is that she has made of the percentage of biomass containing industrial and municipal waste suitable for renewable energy generation sent to landfill. [124561]
§ Mr. MorleyWe have not made any detailed assessments of quantities of biomass along the lines requested.
This is because the quality of the feedstock used in processes that generate renewable energy from biomass obtained from wastes varies according to the technology employed, and these wastes can also be treated by options not involving energy recovery.
However, current estimates are that nearly 80 per cent. of biodegradable municipal waste goes to landfill.