Written question asked by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 19 November 2010. It was answered by Stuart Bell (Labour) on Friday, 19 November 2010 on behalf of the House of Commons Commission.

Recycling

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission, what procedures are in place for the separation and recycling of waste from offices on the parliamentary estate.

Answer: Many waste materials from offices on the parliamentary estate are separated and recycled, including cardboard, paper, glass, metal, light fittings, fluorescent and sodium lamps, glass, plastic drinks bottles and drinks cans, unwanted office files and binders, printer and photocopier toner cartridges, batteries, television monitors, refrigerators, small electronic equipment and computer hardware.Most of these are collected in recycling bins located across the parliamentary estate. The waste contractor for the House provides a recycling operative on the estate to further separate the waste collected from inside the buildings, since some waste which has been contaminated with other waste cannot be sent for recycling and has to be incinerated instead. This system has increased the quantity of waste sent for recycling and decreased the quantity of waste sent for incineration. Separate compactors for paper for recycling and other waste for incineration are provided in both Peers' Inner Court and Commissioner's Yard.

Secondary information