GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET ZERO WASTE TARGET - HUHNE

2.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 20th Jul 2006

Commenting on the Hyder Consulting study which found that almost two thirds of Britons are now recycling domestic waste, Chris Huhne MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, said:

"Although there are some encouraging signs, Britain still has one of the worst records for recycling in Western Europe.

"It is five years since the Government's Waste Strategy was published, and while there has been some progress, household waste is still growing by 3% a year and we are still burying over 75% of our rubbish.

"The taxation system must be used much more intelligently to tackle the problem of waste management. Fiscal incentives should be tailored to motivate people to reuse and recycle materials. The Chancellor has had nine years to deliver and has failed."