{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-11-04&hansardHeading=Nappies%3A+Waste+Disposal", "definition" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-11-04&hansardHeading=Nappies%3A+Waste+Disposal", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-11-04&_metadata=all&hansardHeading=Nappies%3A+Waste+Disposal", "first" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&max-AnswerDate=2020-11-04&hansardHeading=Nappies%3A+Waste+Disposal", "hasPart" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-11-04&hansardHeading=Nappies%3A+Waste+Disposal", "isPartOf" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?max-AnswerDate=2020-11-04&hansardHeading=Nappies%3A+Waste+Disposal", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1245641", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1245641/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In line with our Resources and Waste Strategy, we are considering the best approach to minimise the environmental impact of a range of products, including nappies. Policy measures under consideration include standards and consumer information. We are\u202fseeking powers, through the Environment Bill, that will enable us, where appropriate and subject to consultation, to introduce ecodesign and consumer information requirements.<\/p>
<\/p>
Work is taking place to commission an updated lifecycle assessment for washable and disposable\u202fnappies which will look at the waste and energy impacts of washable products, disposal to landfill, and recycling options. This will help us decide on the best course of action for the future and in terms of Government support.<\/p>
<\/p>
Officials are working with representatives of the nappy industry to help inform policy development in this area and last met with representatives from the Nappy Alliance on 26 October.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL9400"} , {"_value" : "HL9401"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-11-04T11:55:53.987Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a further update to the report by the Environment Agency, An updated lifecycle assessment for disposable and reusable nappies.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL9399"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1245643", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1245643/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In line with our Resources and Waste Strategy, we are considering the best approach to minimise the environmental impact of a range of products, including nappies. Policy measures under consideration include standards and consumer information. We are\u202fseeking powers, through the Environment Bill, that will enable us, where appropriate and subject to consultation, to introduce ecodesign and consumer information requirements.<\/p>
<\/p>
Work is taking place to commission an updated lifecycle assessment for washable and disposable\u202fnappies which will look at the waste and energy impacts of washable products, disposal to landfill, and recycling options. This will help us decide on the best course of action for the future and in terms of Government support.<\/p>
<\/p>
Officials are working with representatives of the nappy industry to help inform policy development in this area and last met with representatives from the Nappy Alliance on 26 October.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-11-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL9399"} , {"_value" : "HL9400"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-11-04T11:55:54.1Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage the use of reusable nappies.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4719", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle"} ], "uin" : "HL9401"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1182599", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1182599/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
In general, the Government prefers to help people make the right choice, rather than banning items outright, and we have no plans to ban the sale of disposable nappies. We will continue to review the latest evidence on problematic products and consider the most appropriate policy response.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4522", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Rebecca Pow"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Taunton Deane"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Rebecca Pow"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-03-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-03-09T13:39:13.633Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-03-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the effect of a ban on the sale of disposable nappies on the Government's objective of eliminating all avoidable waste by 2050.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4488", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Martyn Day"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Linlithgow and East Falkirk"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Martyn Day"} ], "uin" : "25158"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1050439", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1050439/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I met Procter & Gamble who have developed a technology to recycle nappies and I understand they are in discussions with several local authorities to establish a facility in the UK. The Government is committed to eliminating all avoidable waste by 2050, and wants to encourage more recycling and to make it easier for households to recycle. We say more on how we will do this in our Resources and Waste Strategy which was published in December last year.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
While reusable nappies may make a valuable contribution to reducing residual waste that has to be disposed of to landfill or incineration, the Government has not made a formal assessment of the environmental or financial merits of the introduction of reusable nappy schemes by local authorities.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-04T14:18:35.943Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the volume of disposable nappies in household waste; and what assessment he has made of the (a) environmental and (b) financial merits of the introduction of reusable nappy schemes by local authorities.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4678", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sandy Martin"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ipswich"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sandy Martin"} ], "uin" : "214063"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984817", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984817/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is aware of the Real Nappies for London scheme. We welcome initiatives which keep waste out of landfill but we have not carried out a specific assessment on the impact of Real Nappies for London on tonnages to landfill, or savings to local authorities. There is information about Real Nappies on the Waste and Resources Action Programme\u2019s website and many local authorities choose to promote reusable nappies as part of their waste prevention activities.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "177575"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-18T12:11:30.463Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the Real Nappies for London scheme; which London boroughs are participating in that scheme; what assessment his Department has made of the effect of that scheme on the reduction in tonnage of landfill waste and savings to local waste authorities; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hoey"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vauxhall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kate Hoey"} ], "uin" : "177572"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984829", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984829/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Yes.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-19T09:41:56.593Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department's library holds a copy of The Real Nappies for London Scheme - waste prevention and wider social benefits - 2012-2017 paper, by Charles Warner, Paul Philips and Kimberley M Hill, presented to the 33rd International Conference on Solid Waste Technology and Management, Annapolis, Washington D.C. in 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hoey"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vauxhall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kate Hoey"} ], "uin" : "177573"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984860", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984860/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Yes and no.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-19T09:45:00.167Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department holds a copy of Contribution of Real Nappies for London to local authority waste prevention - 2012-2016 published by the Institution of Civil Engineers; and whether officials of his Department were represented at the presentation of an award to the authors of that paper by the Institution of Civil Engineers on 8 October 2018.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hoey"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vauxhall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kate Hoey"} ], "uin" : "177574"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984877", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984877/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government is aware of the Real Nappies for London scheme. We welcome initiatives which keep waste out of landfill but we have not carried out a specific assessment on the impact of Real Nappies for London on tonnages to landfill, or savings to local authorities. There is information about Real Nappies on the Waste and Resources Action Programme\u2019s website and many local authorities choose to promote reusable nappies as part of their waste prevention activities.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "177572"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-18T12:11:30.527Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to encourage local authorities to reduce the tonnage of disposable nappies going to landfill; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hoey"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Vauxhall"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Kate Hoey"} ], "uin" : "177575"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984531", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984531/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has committed in its 25 Year Environment Plan to eliminating all avoidable plastic waste. We will set out how we will achieve this in our upcoming Resources and Waste Strategy to be published later this year. The Strategy will set out the actions we will take to encourage producers to take more responsibility for the lifespan of their products and make sure these are more carefully designed with resource efficiency and waste prevention in mind, including making more use of recycled materials.<\/p>
<\/p>
While biodegradable materials may be seen as a solution to reduce the impact of waste, they can also be more environmentally damaging than non-biodegradable materials if disposed of incorrectly. Plastics which claim to be biodegradable should carry a real advent stand. EN 13432 covers plastics which are compostable and will biodegrade in industrial composters. The Government published a report in 2015 which concluded that existing biodegradable standards are only applicable to very specific conditions, such as industrial composters.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is concerned that, in the absence of standards, claims about the biodegradability of plastic-based products cannot be verified leading to potential confusion in the marketplace, possible increased levels of consumption and potential environmental harm at the point of disposal. As part of our forthcoming UK Bioeconomy Strategy we will work with industry to seek evidence on the demand, benefits and implications of a standard for bio-based and biodegradable plastics. We aim to publish the Bioeconomy Strategy this year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "177167"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-15T11:26:37.117Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he plans to take to ensure that plastics used in disposable nappies are as biodegradable and as harmless to the environment as possible; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/252", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr David Drew"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stroud"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr David Drew"} ], "uin" : "177166"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984532", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/984532/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has committed in its 25 Year Environment Plan to eliminating all avoidable plastic waste. We will set out how we will achieve this in our upcoming Resources and Waste Strategy to be published later this year. The Strategy will set out the actions we will take to encourage producers to take more responsibility for the lifespan of their products and make sure these are more carefully designed with resource efficiency and waste prevention in mind, including making more use of recycled materials.<\/p>
<\/p>
While biodegradable materials may be seen as a solution to reduce the impact of waste, they can also be more environmentally damaging than non-biodegradable materials if disposed of incorrectly. Plastics which claim to be biodegradable should carry a real advent stand. EN 13432 covers plastics which are compostable and will biodegrade in industrial composters. The Government published a report in 2015 which concluded that existing biodegradable standards are only applicable to very specific conditions, such as industrial composters.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is concerned that, in the absence of standards, claims about the biodegradability of plastic-based products cannot be verified leading to potential confusion in the marketplace, possible increased levels of consumption and potential environmental harm at the point of disposal. As part of our forthcoming UK Bioeconomy Strategy we will work with industry to seek evidence on the demand, benefits and implications of a standard for bio-based and biodegradable plastics. We aim to publish the Bioeconomy Strategy this year.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4098", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Thérèse Coffey"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Suffolk Coastal"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Dr Thérèse Coffey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-10-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "177166"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-10-15T11:26:37.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Nappies: Waste Disposal"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to make an assessment of the time it takes for disposable nappies to biodegrade and the effects of that process on the environment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/252", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr David Drew"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Stroud"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr David Drew"} ], "uin" : "177167"} ], "itemsPerPage" : 10, "next" : "https://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=1&max-AnswerDate=2020-11-04&hansardHeading=Nappies%3A+Waste+Disposal", "page" : 0, "startIndex" : 1, "totalResults" : 13, "type" : ["http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#ListEndpoint", "http://purl.org/linked-data/api/vocab#Page"]} }