Need to keep up efforts to reduce Parliament waste

6.41.05pm GMT Mon 12th Mar 2007

Jo is keeping up efforts to improve environmental practices in Parliament

Jo Swinson has called for greater efforts to cut down on waste produced in Parliament.

While recycling within the Parliamentary Estate is increasing, the total amount of waste produced has also risen in recent years.

Speaking in Parliament today, Jo asked Nick Harvey MP, representing the House of Commons Commission:

"I am sure all Members of the House will very much welcome the success in increasing recycling within the Parliamentary Estate, but does the House of Commons Commission share my concern that the total waste produced by the Parliamentary Estate last year actually grew by 17%.

"Given the priority of reduce, then reuse, then recycle, what steps are going to be taken to reduce waste overall?"

Jo later commented:

"It is important that Parliament sets an example of green behaviour and leads the way in environmentally friendly working practices.

"Rising recycling targets for Parliament - 44% for 2007-08 - are good news, but the increase in overall waste also needs to be addressed, if we are to show as Members of Parliament that we are making our own backyard greener."

The total amount of waste produced by the Parliamentary Estate for 2004-05 was 1916.5 tonnes, and the figure for 2005-06 was 2251.7 tonnes, an increase of 17%.

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Read the Commons Hansard of Jo's question in Parliament