Press release

Community Secretary Eric Pickles wins award for talking rubbish

19 April 2011

Secretary of State for Communities Eric Pickles has been voted the winner of Friends of the Earth's Talking Rubbish Award over his hyped-up claims that people are terrified of the 'bin police'. A larger than life Pickles was presented with his award outside Parliament today [Tuesday 19 April].

Online voters opted overwhelmingly for Pickles as the Government Minister talking the most rubbish in the green charity's contest - set up in response to the Coalition's record of talking trash whilst failing to set out a sensible plan for dealing with England's waste.

Friends of the Earth's waste campaigner Julian Kirby said:

"Government Ministers have been keen to trash recycling when in reality it's more popular and successful than ever.

"Eric Pickles in particular has been at war with councils when he should be supporting them to cut the amount we needlessly throw away.

"David Cameron needs to take control of his hysterical, squabbling Ministers and set a goal to halve the nation's black bag waste by 2020."

Three Ministers were nominated for the first-ever Talking Rubbish Award for the 'bin myths' they have attempted to spread:

Eric Pickles, Communities Secretary: Recycling means everyone is terrified of the 'bin police'
Bob Neill, Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government: Rotting food is piling up in our homes.
Caroline Spelman, Environment Secretary:  Tyrannical bin taxes are being scrapped by the Government.

The Ministers declined to attend the awards ceremony.

Friends of the Earth is calling on David Cameron to halve the nation's black-bag waste by boosting recycling and helping people and businesses to cut down on unnecessary rubbish.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. More than 9,000 people have contacted David Cameron to ask his Government to talk half as much rubbish, including signing over 5000 postcards. These names were handed in at Parliament following the awards ceremony.
2.  Find out more about the 'Talking half as much rubbish' campaign at www.foe.co.uk/waste
3. Over 1,000 people voted online in the Talking Rubbish Awards.
4. For more background on the myths please see our Talking Rubbish Awards background information briefing - http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/faqs/questions/talking_rubbish_awards.pdf

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust