MPs clash over recycling figures

An average 77.9 kg per person was thrown out in 2005 to 2006, according to figures revealed at the LibDem party's Autumn conference.

Lewes district MP Norman Baker told the Express: 'Wealden residents are producing a third more waste per head than Lewes residents.

'Wealden has large wheely bins whilst Lewes hasn't and they are encouraged to fill them up.'

Charles Hendry, the Conservative MP for the area, pointed out the figures included garden waste, collected for Wealden residents but not for Lewes residents.

He said this would explain the 77.9 kg statistic.

He added: 'Residents might fear the figures but garden waste is collected in Wealden but in Lewes it is not.

'More is put out by Wealden residents because of that additional service.

'Wealden District Council has one of the highest recycling records.'

Jamie Hamill, a spokesman for the Lib Dem party,

He said: 'The figures were calculated from the amount of waste collected from homes divided by the number of people in the area. Waste Watch, an environmental charity, has said 20 per cent of the waste has been packaging waste.'

Mr Hamill also said the Lib Dems wanted to charge people for using carrier bags to reduce waste.

Are you surprised to hear Wealden households are throwing out so much waste?

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