§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what strategy is in place to increase the collection of post-consumer paper waste for recycling in the UK over the next five years; what specific targets have been set; and what measures are in place to ensure that these targets are met. [184950]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Government have introduced a number of measures to increase the recycling of paper. For example, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is developing markets for waste paper as one of it's priority materials, and has been allocated £30 million over three years to increase awareness of waste issues, and particularly recycling, amongst householders. The Government have also set statutory weight-based recycling targets, for every local authority. Measures taken to help authorities meet their targets include a Performance Reward Grant (PRG). This will be funded by £45 million in 2005–06, rising to £90 million in subsequent years; and will replace the Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund that has been contributing to improving local authorities performance over the past three years.
Regulations implementing the Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (2004/12/EC) have set targets for recycling paper packaging waste, peaking at 70 per cent. in 2008. Voluntary agreements are in place with the Newspaper Publishers Association and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA). These will increase the recycled content of newsprint to 70 per cent. in 2006 and of DMA literature to 70 per cent. in 2013. Targets set so far have been exceeded. Government are negotiating a similar agreement with the Periodical Publishers Association, to increase the recycling of post consumer magazines. In addition, under the Household Waste Recycling Act 2003, local authorities will have to collect at least two recyclable materials separate from other household waste by 2010.