Written question asked by Bob Spink (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 October 2004. It was answered by Fiona Mactaggart (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 October 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the latest available 12 month figures are for the proportion of the Department's redundant documentation, waste paper and card that is recycled; and if he will make a statement on the Department's recycling policy.

Answer: Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the latest available 12 month figures are for the proportion of the Department's redundant documentation, waste paper and card that is recycled; and if he will make a statement on the Department's recycling policy. [188689] Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. All areas of the Department participate in recycling but the way in which it is carried out and the types of materials recycled varies. For the central London estate the waste is sorted by specialist contractors after collection and waste paper and card, among other materials, are extracted for recycling. The overall recycling rate is around 25 per cent. Confidential waste paper is collected separately, shredded and then recycled. We are currently developing a strategy in response to the waste targets recently published under the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. This strategy will cover how we will centrally collect waste data. A summary of the strategy will be published on the Home Office website by the end of October.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 188689; 425 c197W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Government departments Home Office Publications Recycling Paper Waste
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk