25/06/2004

Government to choose green alternatives to landfill

Government departments will re-use and recycle more of their rubbish in a drive to cut the amount of waste buried in landfill sites.

Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett said that England currently produces enough waste to fill the Albert Hall every hour, and everyone must move away from relying on landfill.

She said that it was time for the government "to lead by example in its own back yard".

"We will ensure our own waste management is sustainable and this means turning our backs on landfill. Dumping everything in a giant hole in the ground is no longer acceptable environmentally or socially," she said.

All government departments will have to increase their recycling and composting by at least 5% every year, with an aim of 75% overall.

The government will aim to purchase greater proportions of re-usable and recyclable products and materials with recycled content, and will also aim to return used products to manufacturers.

"Each department will have to justify publicly its actions and the timescales it sets itself to deliver the targets," said Margaret Beckett.

(gmcg)

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