Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what assessment he has made of the environmental claims printed on the paper cups now in use on the Committee Corridor; if no such assessment has been made, whether he will undertake to carry this out; and whether he will share the findings of any such assessment with the Environment and Climate Change Committee.

All of the paper cups for the water coolers on the House of Lords Estate are sourced from a single supplier, WaterLogic. Some of the cups on the estate are simply labelled ‘Planet’, as per the manufacturer name, and others come with the supplier’s branding printed on. Both versions are the same product, which is advertised and sold as being recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. WaterLogic’s website confirms that the cup is plastic-free and made of paperboard which is fully recyclable, biodegradable and compostable. The cup’s material is heat resistant and can be reused multiple times.

There will be an internal review of how the cups are being collected across the House of Lords Estate by our cleaning partners, to ensure that they are continuing to be disposed of in the correct manner (i.e. not as part of the general refuse). This is an issue covered by the Services Committee who will be informed of the results of the review once it has been completed and whose agendas and minutes are published online.