In answer to a written question on estimates of the amount of domestic wastes exported and on likely future changes in this amount, Joan Ruddock, Minister for waste and recycling gave her answer based on HM Revenue and Customs statistics.
She said that estimates for 2006 indicate that the UK exported some 8 million tonnes of metal scrap, 4 million tonnes of paper, 441,000 tonnes of plastic and 136,000 tonnes of glass cullet.
There was no available Government estimate of the likely future growth in exported waste.
However the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has undertaken research to assess the international markets for key recyclable wastes: plastic, paper and glass.
Papers on this research are available on WRAP’s website.
On future trends of exports, Ms Ruddock said that “this will depend largely on the success of the range of initiatives under way to increase provision of domestic recycling capacity as part of the implementation of Waste Strategy 2007”.
The UK only exports waste that is suitable for recovery or recycling according to the Minister.