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Refuse Collection

No, we did not, because the matter was not within the purview of our report or, indeed, our Committee. However, my view as an MP who resisted an incinerator in her area is that although energy from waste is an important option that could be investigated and considered, in general, most people agree that it would be a mistake to allow energy from waste to encourage people to be more cavalier about the amount of waste that they produce. We should still try to reduce waste generation, but also look at what we can do with the residual waste that will, inevitably, be produced. Energy from waste may be a sensible proposal along those lines. One thing that I will touch on later is how the choices that have already been made in different areas for treating refuse have reduced the options available in those areas for refuse collection. For example, large investments are being made in a particular form of waste treatment plant, which then limit the choices that can be made by local authorities in that area in respect of waste collection.