Question

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, which wastes are sent for incineration by the Parliamentary authorities; and whether the Commission has made an assessment of alternative sources of disposal for such wastes.

Parliament’s ‘general waste’ stream is sent for incineration at an ‘energy from waste’ facility. General waste bins in offices are clearly marked and are for food, food contaminated packaging, crisps packets, tea bags, coffee grounds, disposable coffee cups and take away meal containers.

The House authorities and their waste contractor carry out audits of the general waste stream to identify opportunities to move general wastes up the waste hierarchy, by avoiding the generation of wastes in the first instance, and to identify ways to increase recycling where possible.