HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND RECYCLING

That this House notes with concern that the United Kingdom lags far behind its European counterparts on the environment, particulary when just 13.5 per cent. of household waste is recycled; recognises that the Government has set a target that this rate would rise to 25 per cent. by 2005, 30 per cent. by 2010 and 33 per cent. by 2015; expresses concern that, according to the DEFRA-commissioned Review of the United Kingdom Landfill Tax published in October 2002, 25 per cent. of local authorities are likely to miss their statutory recycling targets in 2005-06; notes that eight out of 10 top recycling councils are Conservative-controlled; further expresses concern that the Environmental Audit Committee believes that the United Kingdom will not come close to meeting any of the national targets set for recycling, and that the 2010 and 2015 targets will be missed by a wide margin; urges Parliament and all government departments to make a greater effort by increasing recycling of waste, using recycled materials, reducing energy use and increasing renewable energy supplies; and calls on the Government to increase public awareness and action on the environment.