GOVERNMENT WASTE RESPONSE TOO LITTLE TOO LATE - HUHNE

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 24th May 2007

Commenting on the publication of the Government's waste strategy for England today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"This is too little and too late. The Government's 50 per cent recycling target for 2020 does not even match the best current standards in Europe such as Germany's 58 per cent and the Netherlands' 65 per cent.

"We have the third worst recycling rate in the EU, and ministers are still far too unambitious. We need a right to return excessive packaging at retailers, trials of a plastic bag charge plus more prosecutions for excessive waste and fly-tipping.

"We oppose new waste tax powers for local councils, but would welcome schemes which give rebates on council tax for residents who recycle. We don't need 'pay as you throw', but councils should be able to give 'rebates as you recycle'."