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Budget Resolutions and Economic Situation

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will make that decision, which he will announce in due course. Recycling saves the equivalent of approximately 18 million tonnes of CO2 a year and our waste strategy, which was published last year, sets out how we can recycle or compost half of all household waste by 2020. As well as recycling, reducing our overall demand for scarce natural resources is essential if we are to meet the challenges that face the natural environment. A disposable society is not a sustainable society. That is why the 13 billion, free, single-use, plastic and other bags that are distributed in the UK each year are a symbol of a disposable society. There has been growing public concern about that symbol and the Government, using the Climate Change Bill, will legislate to require retailers to impose a charge if they do not take voluntary action.