Paper tigers spoil recycling policy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.LAST week's proclamation of new laws to force industries to increase recycling was, literally, not worth the paper it was written on, writes Geoffrey Lean.
For Environment Secretary John Gummer's announcement in a press release that he would 'legislate at the earliest opportunity to ensure that business initiatives on recycling were not undermined by those seeking to avoid any obligation to take part' was not printed on recycled paper.
Mr Gummer wrote: 'We all have a part to play - as consumers, as producers, as local communities and as businesses'. But not, it appears, as ministers.
A survey shows that only a handful of Cabinet members use recycled paper for press releases or written answers to parliamentary questions, despite an undertaking four years ago to 'discriminate positively' in its favour.
A series of Parliamentary questions by Labour MP Ron Davies to ministers at 17 Government departments showed that only five used any recycled paper for press releases and written answers. Only the Ministry of Defence 'almost invariably' used it for both.
Four years ago, in its last White Paper on the Environment, the Government promised 'to use recycled paper wherever this is available, of adequate quality and represents value for money.'
Her Majesty's Stationery Office says that suitable recycled papers are now available for all purposes.
Yesterday Mr Marek Mayer, editor of Environmental Data Services said: 'In his speech at the Conservative Party conference Mr Gummer accused the public of double standards . . . this survey shows that, despite legislating to make others recycle, the Government is being very slow to put its own house in order.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments