To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with European Union environment ministers on ways in which recycling for low density polyethylene (Type 4), Polypropylene (Type 5), Polystyrene (Type 6) and other (Type 7) plastics can be advanced. (129350)

I have regular discussions with European Union environment ministers on a range of issues, but none have been held specifically on this issue.

However, the Government are taking action to both support the reduction of plastic packaging in the waste stream and encourage the recycling of plastics more generally. The Waste and Resources Action programme (WRAP) is also working to create stable markets for a range of recycled materials, including plastics. In 2003, WRAP commissioned Enviros Consulting Ltd to undertake a study of the markets, applications and growth opportunities for recycled plastics in the UK.

For example, expanded polystyrene can readily be used for insulation in housing and other types of plastics can be recycled into lower grade plastics and used in construction or packaging.

WRAP's targets for 2004-06 are to work with the plastics industry to increase the acceptance of recycled plastic throughout the supply chain, to deliver an additional 20,000 tonnes of domestic plastic bottle recycling capacity, and to ensure that an additional 11,000 tonnes of non-bottle plastics are recycled.

A common use of low density polyethylene is in the production of carrier bags. DEFRA is working closely with the devolved administrations, WRAP, the Scottish Waste Awareness Group and businesses to both promote reusable bags and reduce the number of plastic bags entering the waste stream.

In addition, the packaging regulations set targets for recovery and recycling of packaging waste to be met by obligated businesses each year to enable the UK to meet the targets in the EU Packaging Directive. This requires the UK to recycle 22.5 per cent. of the plastic packaging waste entering the UK waste stream by 2008. Currently, around 20 per cent. of plastic packaging waste is recycled in the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities in England offer facilities for recycling (a) low density polyethylene (Type 4), (b) polypropylene (Type 5), (c) polystyrene (Type 6) and (d) other (Type 7) plastics. (129351)

Data from the 2006 Waste and Resources Action programme/Recoup UK plastic bottle recycling survey indicate that 86 per cent of local authorities (LAs) already offer some form of collection facilities for plastic bottles.

LAs normally collect plastics by application and not by polymer type. They may, for example, request types of bottles and trays for recycling, instead of distinguishing between different types of plastic. Data are not, therefore, collected on the different types of plastic collected by individual LAs.