News211106

I couldn't agree more with Coun Roland Spencer (Letters, November 19) calling for a national Government policy to improve recycling.

This is another example of our Government's ability to spout rhetoric but provide little action. Despite being the fourth richest nation on the planet, we have the one of the lowest recycling rates in the EU. A lack of national policy means that Nottingham City has one of the lowest recycling rates in the UK, yet neighbouring Rushcliffe has won awards for having one of the highest rates.

The Government has set recycling targets but these are not challenging enough, neither have they provided a national strategy or a framework to reduce waste, provide the infrastructure for recycling or market for recycled materials.

To meet targets set by the EU Landfill Directive, the Government could have chosen the clean, recycling route. However, its policy is to triple the amount of incinerators in the county, Nottinghamshire being the centre of this battle.

The Government tells us that climate change is the greatest threat we face and announced a Climate Change Bill in the Queen's speech, yet their policy of increasing incineration will massively increase climate change pollution, another example of a lack of joined-up policy.

We need a co-ordinated Government approach to reduce, reused, recycle waste and tackle climate change.

JON BERESFORD NAIL (Nottingham Against incineration and Landfill) www.nail.uk.net Boxley Drive West Bridgford