Local Authorities: Recycling

Debate between Lord Gardiner of Kimble and Baroness Butler-Sloss

Tuesday 11th July 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, it is far too simplistic to suggest that. For instance, in Richmondshire District Council, there was a 14.7% increase in recycling rates in one year; in Tameside, a 7.8% increase; and in East Riding, an 8.6% increase. This is all about increasing the amount that is recycled and separating food waste. Of course there are financial conditions, but I suggest that there are many good examples of what local authorities are doing in stressful times.

[Baroness Butler-Sloss (CB)]

My Lords, could something be done about the covering of magazines, which is currently not recyclable?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, one of the key areas of the packaging industry’s work and what we need to do with WRAP is to ensure that we do not package unnecessarily and that packaging is recyclable. There are some good statistics on that—increasing packaging to 60% recyclable—but more needs to be done.