Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 December 2001. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Monday, 3 December 2001 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on what grounds a local authority can refuse to take away used white goods where no other form of waste disposal exists.

Answer: Mr. Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what grounds a local authority can refuse to take away used white goods where no other form of waste disposal exists. [17888] Mr. Meacher: Waste collection authorities can refuse to take away only those used white goods that are classified as `commercial' waste. They may arrange to collect and dispose of such waste, if approached by commercial traders, but they are not obliged to. Waste collection authorities have a statutory duty to arrange for the collection of household waste. However, they are entitled to impose a charge for collection for certain items, set out in Schedule 2 to the Controlled Waste Regulations 1992. Waste disposal authorities have a statutory duty, under section 51(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to provide reasonably accessible sites where householders can dispose of their waste free of charge but they may restrict the availability of specified sites to specified descriptions of waste.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 376 c93W;376 c94W; 17888
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: EU law Electrical goods Functions Local government Waste management Retail trade Refrigerators Waste disposal Secondhand goods
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk