Parliament's Call For Focus On Waste Minimisation Is Welcomed By The Nappy Alliance
20 May 2011
A commitment to waste minimisation was this week made during a Westminster Hall debate on Government waste policy. Amid Real Nappy Week, the debate included support of using non-disposable nappies, with attention being paid to the Nappy Alliance's Waste Reduction Charter that proposes a 1p tax on disposable products
The debate on Government waste policy, which was secured and initiated by Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams, discussed the importance of waste minimisation in addition to ongoing focuses of recycling.
Williams, along with Andrew George MP (Liberal Democrat) and John McDonnell MP (Labour) each highlighted the benefits of reusable nappies in contributing to waste minimisation, and their place above disposable nappies in the Waste Hierarchy.
Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru MP for Arfon, said: "Current waste strategy has tended to highlight the importance of recycling - but if we're to have any chance at achieving a 'zero waste economy' then we also need to look to reduce the amount of waste that we create.
"Recycling is and will continue to be very important. But just as we remember to put waste in our recycling bins, we also need to be thinking about how we can cut down on the amount of waste that we're producing in the first place. This means encouraging, at both local and national levels, sensible consumer and business choices, like reducing the amount of packaging on products, or making use of reusable products such as nappies."
Disposable Tax
McDonnell further noted his support for the Nappy Alliance's Waste Reduction Charter that includes a proposed 1p tax on disposable products; also encouraging action from both local and central government to ensure increased waste prevention.
Responding for the Government, Environment Minister Richard Benyon MP confirmed the Government recognised the importance of waste minimisation in addition to recycling initiatives, also commenting that Government plans would be outlined further in the upcoming Waste Review and the Waste Prevention Strategy that will be developed by 2013.
Guy Schanschieff, Chairman of the Nappy Alliance, said: "We are delighted that the participants in the debate, including the Minister, have acknowledged the importance of waste minimisation and the contribution that reusable nappies can make.
"With this being Real Nappy Week and the Government considering its Waste Review, this discussion is particularly timely. We would now urge the Government to take on board the lessons of this debate, and to ensure that waste minimisation is fully reflected in the Review and in wider policy.
For more on Real Nappy Week visit www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week
Darrel Moore
