Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government’s policy is on the proposed common EU target to recycle 65 per cent of municipal waste by 2035.

The government is supportive of more recycling of materials and we are actively engaged in agreeing the proposals to support the Circular Economy across the EU. We are yet to receive the formal text of the outcome of the trilogue discussions and we will consider it carefully. There are several targets in the circular economy package of which the 65% recycling by weight target by 2035 is just one.

As we develop the Resource and Waste Strategy we will explore whether new, more innovate targets can be developed that deliver clear benefits over those proposed by Europe. Should they be preferable, UK Government will present proposals to the UK Parliament following the UKs Exit from Europe.