Recycling targets good for region says MEP Watson

12.28.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 30th Jun 2008

Following a recent agreement between MEPs and Europe's environment Ministers to set a target of recycling 50% of household waste by 2020, and 70% for industrial and commercial waste, national Governments could face substantial fines if they fail to introduce the necessary measures.

Local Lib Dem MEP Graham Watson has commented on how the EU has led the way on stopping the region disappearing under a mountain of refuse, and has played a major role in raising our Government's ambitions for recycling;

"The UK has had an abysmal record on recycling compared to some of our EU neighbours. The Government only acted on the issue when it realized it would fall foul of the EU Landfill Directive. This means we are now making much better use of resources. Recycling more also reduces the amount of gases harmful to our planet that are emitted from landfill sites"

Graham went on to point out that Governments have another six years to draw up plans to reduce their waste mountains but noted,

"I am pleased to see some businesses, including some of our major supermarkets have pledged to reduce the waste they create over the next 4 years by some 25%."

Editors note;

A study carried out by the environmental charity Friends of the Earth showed that the 50% household recycling rate across Europe could save emissions equivalent to taking 31 million cars off the road.