BIN CHARGING COULD HELP CUT WASTE - HUHNE

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 8th Jan 2007

Britain's waste record is appalling, and waste charging could be the answer.

Commenting on the Local Government Association's proposal for powers to levy charges for waste collection, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"Councils that want to experiment with waste charging should be given the powers to do so. It has been a success in Ireland without leading to the problems of fly-tipping that were predicted, and it rewards those who make the most effort to recycle and compost what they use.

"Britain's waste record - with nearly three times as much rubbish thrown out per person as in Germany - is appalling, and waste charging could be part of the answer along with renewed efforts to cut down on packaging. We can and should aim for zero waste in the long run."

Mr Huhne also pointed out that the Conservatives were criticising the proposal nationally while backing it in the Local Government Association:

"Not for the first time on environmental matters, the Tories are facing both ways in a state of total confusion."