Written question asked by Sue Doughty (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 16 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 January 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 17 January 2005 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, what proportion of commercial and industrial waste was biodegradable in the last period for which figures are available.

Answer: Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of commercial and industrial waste was biodegradable in the last period for which figures are available. [206790] Mr. Morley: Estimates from the 1998-99 Environment Agency survey suggest that about 44 per cent. of industrial and commercial waste is paper, card or food. A further 22 per cent. is mixed waste of which an unknown proportion is biodegradable.Publication of more up to date survey data should take place later in the year.

Secondary information