Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
Email: info
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2003 (and previous) press releases
Government Could Stall Local Recycling, Warns Baker
Lewes MP Norman Baker has warned the House of Commons that the Government's Waste and Emissions Trading Bill could undermine recycling efforts by green-thinking district councils such as Lewes and Wealden by giving the county council powers to direct how they deal with the waste stream.
The Waste and Emissions Trading Bill gives waste disposal authorities, such as East Sussex County Council, the power to issue directions to waste collection authorities, such as Lewes and Wealden District Councils. The districts are fully committed to recycling, and Lewes District Council has recently become one of the first councils in the country to adopt the Zero Waste Charter. The County Council, by contrast is championing the cause of incinerators which will require a guaranteed minimum throughput of waste to operate efficiently, thereby potentially undermining the recycling stream and efforts to minimise waste.
Speaking on the subject, Norman says:
"I am concerned that this Bill could see forward-thinking councils such as those of Lewes or Wealden who wish to further improve their environmentally-friendly approach undermined by the less progressive Council County who are tied into incineration and less interested in improving their poor envinronmemtal record." "I am sorry that the government, having conceded that there is potentially a problem, is unwilling to do anything about it. People will not tolerate any moves to undermine recycling and if that spectre arises, they can be sure I will be banging on the Minister's door."