More recycling SHOULD mean no incinerators

2.08.00pm GMT Thu 20th Nov 2008

Recent figures released by the government show a dramatic increase in recycling by Essex residents. Almost every council in the country has met or exceeded its recycling target including those in Essex. The Liberal Democrats have said that this means there is no need for big waste disposal plants in Essex.

Commenting on the figures, the Liberal Democrats spokesman for waste and recycling, Cllr Ian Gale (Chelmsford West) said: "We have been repeatedly told by the Conservative administration at Essex County Council that massive waste disposal plants to burn waste are essential. They say we will continue to produce more and more waste. The government's figures, and indeed the county's own figures, show that this is nonsense.

"Local residents have made a fantastic effort to recycle more of their household rubbish leaving far less for councils to have to dispose of than before. This is likely to continue as there is plenty more scope to improve recycling rates and we will produce less and less waste.

"The Conservatives' plan to spend an estimated £5 billion pounds over a contract of 25-30 years to treat and burn waste in Essex is a waste of money. With just a fraction of that spent on more recycling, the county council can dramatically reduce the amount of waste it has to deal with, making the need for large waste plants unnecessary."

ENDS