Written question asked by Barry Sheerman (Labour) on Thursday, 15 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 June 2003. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 June 2003 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, if she will take action to reduce the disparity between the cost of exporting unsorted recyclables and the cost of sorting them in the UK.

Answer: Mr. Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take action to reduce the disparity between the cost of exporting unsorted recyclables and the cost of sorting them in the UK. [114794] Mr. Meacher: The Government's priority is to increase the amount of waste that is reused or recycled. It may be necessary to export some recyclate for recovery in order to achieve these aims. The Government however, is acting to extend the market for recyclates in the UK and has set up the Waste and Resources Action Programme to create stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products and to remove barriers to re-use and re-cycling in the UK.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 114794; 406 c728W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Cost effectiveness Exports Recycling Waste management Waste disposal WRAP
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk