Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the sustainability of (a) pyrolysis or (b) gasification as a means of processing thin plastic films.

My Department has not conducted any dedicated assessment of the sustainability of Advanced Thermal Treatments, including pyrolysis and gasification, as a means of processing waste plastic film. Defra seeks to prevent waste occurring in the first place and, where it does occur, prioritise waste for reuse and recycling over energy recovery, including gasification and pyrolysis. Government is bringing forward several measures to increase recycling of plastic waste, including Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging, consistent recycling collections for England, a deposit return scheme for drinks containers, and a Plastic Packaging Tax.