Written question asked by Peter Bone (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 February 2006. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Monday, 27 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Recycling

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what restrictions there are on the transportation abroad for recycling of waste toner from photocopiers.

Answer: The export of waste from the UK for disposal is prohibited under national legislation. Shipments for recovery are permitted subject to the classification and destination of the waste. Waste may only be exported to non-OECD countries if it is non-hazardous and if the country of destination has indicated that they are willing to accept it for recovery, as set out in the relevant EU Regulations.Non-hazardous waste may be exported to OECD countries for recovery subject only to commercial controls. Certain hazardous waste exports to the OECD require notification to the countries of destination, dispatch and where appropriate transit, who must give their prior consent to the movement. Advice on the relevant controls can be sought from the relevant competent authority, the Environment Agency in England and Wales.

Secondary information