To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what percentage of waste from the House of Commons Estate for (a) recycling and (b) incineration was exported for processing in each of the past three years. (120731)

The House’s waste contractor has reported the following:

(a) Recycling:

Paper and cardboard

Once the paper and cardboard is processed, ideally it is all then sold to paper mills within the UK. However, because the re-sale market for this material varies so much on a daily basis, sometimes this material is exported to Europe and the Far East. It is not possible to establish the percentage of the House of Commons’ paper and cardboard that is exported.

Glass, plastic and metals

The other main recyclable materials such as glass, plastic and metals are generally sold on to reprocessing plants based within the UK.

Soil and hardcore waste is handled and reused within the UK.

(b) Incineration:

None of the waste for incineration is exported. It is all sent to the contractor’s Energy from Waste Plant in North London.