Cut toxic waste say Martin and Graham (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Cut toxic waste say Martin and Graham

January 3, 2007 5:29 PM

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood and south west EuroMP Graham Watson have pressed government ministers to commit to reduce the amount of toxic waste going to landfill sites like Wingmoor Farm in Gloucestershire. In his role as the Lib Dems' shadow environment minister, Martin urged his opposite number in government to rule out more incineration of waste. Incineration typically burns household waste and can generate energy but still leaves a significant amount of residual 'fly ash' which is much more poisonous than normal waste.

"I pressed the government to stand by its commitment to prevent waste as the top priority with reuse and recycling next on the list" said Martin. "Only then should waste be burnt for energy and only as a very last resort should we be dumping any of it on landfill sites like Wingmoor Farm. Graham Watson and the European Lib Dems have fought for this at European Union level too. We're way down the European league on recycling and the EU needs to do more to support countries like Britain to catch up with the rest. We shouldn't become the dirty country of Europe."