Public recycling desire ‘has been underestimated’

Friday 25th April 2008, 12:00AM BST.

MINISTERS have dramatically underestimated the public’s willingness to recycle rubbish, say the Scrutiny panel responsible for environmental policy.

Following this week’s statement by Transport Minister Guy de Faye that the proposed La Collette incinerator could be smaller than planned, and cheaper than the £84m budgeted for, Environment Scrutiny panel chairman Rob Duhamel said that the penny was starting to drop.

Last year his panel published a report saying that the replacement for the Bellozanne incinerator would not need to be as big as planned because Islanders were prepared to recycle more of their rubbish.

That report got a frosty reception from Deputy de Faye at the time, but yesterday he announced that improved recycling figures – 2007 saw 30.4% of waste recycled compared to the 27% target – might mean a smaller and cheaper plant.

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