Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Monday, 25 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 November 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 4 November 2004 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, how many UK households are recycling and composting; and whether the national target is being met. - Inc figures. (Holding answer 1 November 2004).

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many UK households are recycling and composting; and whether the national target is being met. [194165] Mr. Morley :[holding answer 1 November 2004]: Waste is a devolved issue. In England, the Government have set national targets to recycle or compost 17 per cent. of household waste by 2003-04 and 25 per cent. by 2005-06. The latest (2001) Defra survey of public attitudes to quality of life and to the environment found that in England, paper was recycled on a regular basis by 53 per cent. of households, glass by 42 per cent. cans by 30 per cent., plastic by 23 per cent. and kitchen waste by 20 per cent. Local authorities do not report on the number of households participating in recycling schemes or on the numbers that carry out home composting, but the 2002-03 Municipal Waste Management Survey identified that 14.5 per cent. of household waste was recycled in England, about one third of which was centrally composted. Audited figures for 2003-04 are expected in December.

Secondary information