Skip to main content

Recycling: Lancashire

Volume 474: debated on Wednesday 26 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to encourage businesses in Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency to recycle waste in the last 12 months. (194714)

I am not aware of any specific DEFRA initiatives in Morecambe and Lunesdale. However, the Government's Waste Strategy for England 2007 sets out the aim of encouraging local authorities to take on a wider role (in partnerships) to help local (particularly smaller) businesses reduce and recycle their waste with cost savings through more integrated management of different waste streams; and encouraging regional development agencies and other regional bodies to coordinate business waste and resource management in partnership with local authorities and third sector organisations. Small and medium sized enterprises can also get information on recycling from Government and Waste and Recycling Action Programme (WRAP) websites.

DEFRA supports businesses to improve their efficient use of resources and to reduce their carbon emissions. This work forms an important part of the Government's drive towards a sustainable consumption and production economy. By cutting their waste and reducing material use, businesses of all sizes can boost profits and create jobs by reducing environmental impacts.

The Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) Programme has delivered much of the above support to businesses. The programme has returned additional landfill tax to business over three years through resource efficiency and waste minimisation programmes, including recycling projects. Good results have been achieved from the intervention.