Bath MP calls on government to ensure household recycling is “actually recycled”
8 December 2023
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay, to call on the Government to ensure that consumers can be confident that when they send packaging for recycling, it’s actually recycled.
The Bath MP expressed her concern that, in its current form, the Government’s Simpler Recycling policy will not achieve the high rates of recycling which we all desire.
Simpler Recycling will require local councils to collect the same set of materials for recycling as part of our weekly bin collections. Under the Government’s proposals, this will include plastic packaging, cans, glass and cartons, amongst other materials.
But collection is just one part of the recycling puzzle. Consumers rightly expect that once they place an item in the correct recycling bin, it will actually be recycled.
Unfortunately, the Government has yet to confirm that it will require all collected materials to be sorted at dedicated recycling plants. Without proper sorting, some materials may still be treated as residual waste and therefore not recycled.
Ms Hobhouse’s letter urges the Government to introduce guidance to local councils which would require all collected materials to be properly sorted for recycling.
Without this guidance, there is little guarantee for consumers that their efforts to recycle packaging will be rewarded.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, commented:
“It is vital we get Simpler Recycling right, so consumers can trust that when they throw away their packaging it will actually be recycled.
“Many people across Bath will welcome being able to recycle more at home, however it would be incredibly disappointing if they are to find out that their packaging won’t end up being recycled.
“If we are to meet our net zero and wider environmental ambitions, recycling measures need to be ramped up. One of the most direct ways to achieve higher rates of recycling is by ensuring once packaging materials are collected, they are sorted and recycled.”
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