Government waste strategy is failing - Doughty

Commenting on today's figures from DEFRA for household waste arisings and recycling rates, Sue Doughty MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Minster, said:

"The Government's waste strategy is failing from the outset. It claims that it's top priority for dealing with waste is reduction. But today's figures reveal that household waste grew by another 500,000 tonnes between 2001/02 and 2002/03.

"Progress on recycling is still too slow to ensure that Government targets are reached. If the Government is not going to take ownership of the problem then it must give local authorities the powers they need to move out into the fast lane towards the high recycling rates of other European countries.

"The Government's failure to produce a successful strategy could mean local authorities missing their targets and paying for it in fines."