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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage reductions in household waste.

The Government is committed to creating a roadmap to a circular economy – a future where we keep our resources in use for longer; waste is reduced; we accelerate the path to net zero; we see investment in critical infrastructure and green jobs; our economy prospers; and nature thrives.

We continue to support the Waste and Resources Action Programme in waste prevention activities including support for Textiles 2030 and Courtauld 2030.

Alongside this, the Simpler Recycling reforms will ensure that across England, people will be able to recycle the same materials, no longer needing to check what their council will accept for recycling. Every household across England will be able to recycle the same materials across the following waste streams: metal; glass; plastic: paper and card; food waste; garden waste.

This policy will make recycling easier and ensure there is a comprehensive, consistent service across England. This will reduce confusion with recycling to improve recycling rates, ensuring there is more recycled material in the products we buy, and stimulating the UK recycling industry will grow.