Archived press release

MPs vote on new recycling law

12 March 2003

MPs will discuss a proposed new recycling law on Friday (14 March) which would require the Government to ensure that 50 per cent of domestic waste is recycled by 2010. The current target is 30 per cent (by 2010). Latest figures show that the UK only recycles around 11 per cent of its waste.

The Municipal Waste Recycling Bill [1,2], which has been introduced to Parliament by Joan Ruddock MP, has been backed by over 400 MPs from all parties. But at least 100 MPs must attend the debate to support the Bill to ensure that it progresses to the Committee stage. The Government has not yet indicated whether it will give its support.

In November 2002 the Government Strategy Unit review of waste strategy [3] admitted that recycling in England was "well below that in most other EU countries" and concluded that "We need to act now to reduce waste growth and recycle more". It recommended the development of a waste strategy that would "enable England to match best practice in other countries". This, it said, should include a national doorstep recycling scheme for every home. Austria recycles 64 per cent of its domestic waste and Belgium recycles 52 per cent [4]. The Government's response to the Strategy Unit is expected next month.

Most MPs have already given their support for tough new laws to increase recycling. And both Tony Blair and Environment Minister Michael Meacher [5] have also called for the provision of a recycling service to every home. Friends of the Earth is now urging MPs to vote for Ms Ruddock's Bill on Friday and calling on the Government to also back the proposed new law.

Friends of the Earth's Director, Tony Juniper, said:

"Joan Ruddock's Municipal Waste Recycling Bill would lead to a vast improvement in the UK's recycling record. The large majority of MPs have already backed calls for tough legislation on recycling. It's important that they now attend the debate and vote for a level of recycling that will rank amongst the best in Europe. We hope that the Government will give its backing too."

Notes

1. Copies of the Municipal Waste Recycling Bill are available from Friends of the Earth. It was drawn up by Joan Ruddock MP (Lewisham Deptford) and Friends of the Earth. Joan Ruddock was drawn fifth in the ballot for Private Members Bills - this ensures that the Bill will have enough Parliamentary time to become law.

2. A requirement that councils must meet this target by providing every household in England and Wales with a doorstep recycling scheme has been dropped from the Bill following indications that this would not be supported by the Government. Government support is crucial to the success of the Bill. However, comprehensive doorstep recycling schemes will be essential to meet the 50 per cent target should the Bill succeed.

3. Waste Not, Want Not, November 2002 - www.strategy.gov.uk

4. Source: Environmental Signals 2002 - European Environment Agency

5. Tony Blair: "I want to see every local authority offering doorstep recycling". Speech to CBI and Green Alliance, 24 October 2000

Michael Meacher: "I would say that something like a third of all local authorities have doorstep recycling in at least part of their area. We want that to be all of their area and all local authorities." Public Meeting in Caxton House, Archway, 7 November 2002

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust