To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provision is made within his Department for the recycling of (a) paper, (b) glass and (c) plastics. (152901)

[holding answer 26 July 2007]: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has a wide range of recycling provisions for paper, glass and plastics across its estate. Recycling of these materials is closely monitored and reported quarterly against the government’s Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate (SOGE) targets.

In addition recycling provision for each of these materials is audited, both internally and externally, through our Environmental Management System (EMS) programme.

Latest figures (2006-07) confirm that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs recycled 860 tonnes of paper, 38 tonnes of glass and 16 tonnes of plastic.