The Government has given its backing to a proposed new recycling law, being taken forward by Joan Ruddock MP. The move, which has been welcomed by Friends of the Earth (who are giving themselves a pat on the back for drafting the original document), gives the Bill an excellent chance of becoming law.

The new law if passed would require at least two different rubbish containers at every household. Many people already experience difficulties with storing one bin and transporting it to the roadside weekly. This is just one obstacle that must be addressed if recycling is to become enforceable by law.

MPs agreed amendments to the Municipal Waste Recycling Bill, tabled by environment minister Michael Meacher, at its committee stage yesterday.

The bill now requires at least two types of waste to be collected for recycling from every home in England. However, some authorities already collect two types of waste in existing local environment protection campaigns.

Friends of the Earth Recycling Campaigner Anna Watson said:

"This Bill is an important step forward in ensuring that much more of our domestic waste is recycled. Congratulations must go to Joan Ruddock for steering this Bill through Parliament, MPs from all parties for their overwhelming support, and the Government for putting its weight behind it."

"This Bill must be the launch pad for raising our levels of recycling to match those achieved by many of our European neighbours. Local authorities should provide doorstep recycling for all recyclable waste, not just for the legal minimum of two. The more materials councils collect, the more we can recycle and the less we will rely on landfill and incinerators"