Written question asked by Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 November 2008.

Recycling

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:What measures they will take in response to the fall in prices for recycled materials and the resultant stock piles of plastic, paper and steel.

Answer: On 11 November Defra, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and the Environment Agency issued a joint statement about the approach being taken to address the fall in prices for some recyclable materials. This made clear that our priorities are: to further promote waste minimisation; to maintain public confidence that recycling is worthwhile to ensure continuity of collection systems for recyclables; to focus on producing high quality marketable recyclables; to ensure any storage of recyclables does not undermine the environment or public health or the recyclability of those materials; where the traditional markets for recyclables have contracted, to encourage recovery and disposal options towards the top of the waste hierarchy, i.e. landfill, as a last resort; and to avoid actions which exacerbate the situation whilst markets stabilise. The Environment Agency, with government support, has issued guidance on the circumstances in which it will allow extra storage of recyclable materials in the short term. WRAP will continue to monitor markets and prices and make information regularly available. The Government will keep the situation under review to assess what further action may be necessary.

Secondary information