Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 28 February 2003. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Friday, 28 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if the recycling of food waste paper will attract the financial credits available under packaging regulations.

Answer: Mr. Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the recycling of food waste paper will attract the financial credits available under packaging regulations. [99373] Mr. Wilson: All waste paper is eligible for Packaging Recovery Notes once recycled. However, if it has come into direct contact with food, then it is not normally recycled back into the same material due to the excessive amounts of energy required to do this, and possible health risks of the contaminated material. Food contaminated paper can be `organically recycled' ie composted, and attract PRNs. Last year less than 1,000 tonnes of packaging were recycled in this way. It is also possible to use energy recovery methods (incineration for power), for this type of waste and this method will also be eligible for PRNs.

Secondary information