15.06.2009
MPs have voiced their concerns today over the affect the recession will have on schools’ recycling, as thousands face charges imposed by Local Authorities. A cross party motion has been tabled in Parliament, calling on the Government to ensure schools are not charged to recycle.
According to a UK Youth Parliament survey, 73% of councils in England do not provide a full recycling service for schools for free. It is feared that many councils that do offer the service will start charging in the future as the recession takes its toll.
A recent Which? Report, showed effective recycling would save councils and taxpayers millions in landfill charges. Sending rubbish to landfill will cost £620 million in England this year. According to WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), 78% of schools’ waste could be easily recycled or composted.
Martin Horwood MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for the Environment, said,
“Considering the current environmental and economic situation, it is imperative to give schools all the help we can to recycle their waste. Not only would a free service save schools money, it would allow children to gain an understanding of environmental stewardship and responsibility. This is an outcome that cannot be lost just because Government and Local Authorities have failed to sort out the funding arrangements. I fully support the UK Youth Parliament campaign to make recycling in schools free and compulsory.”
Catherine Rawsthorne, Member of Youth Parliament, 17 years-old, commented,
“It is outrageous that young people, who are encouraged to take green issues seriously, are finding their efforts to recycle thwarted by their local councils. We know that effective recycling actually saves money but at the moment we seem to be in a no win situation where schools and councils are all losing out financially and environmentally."
Click here for more information about the UK Youth Parliament's recycling campaign |
