Progressive Democratic Party considers that the Government policy on recycling does not go far enough and that further work needs to be done on introducing alternative energies for Gibraltar.

A PDP spokesman said: “The current recycling bin systems are inconvenient in that they tend to be situated some distance away from current refuse disposal areas. Smaller recycling bins, such as those recently placed by Witham’s Road are more user friendly and can be situated closer to refuse collection sites and other areas used by the general public which might also encourage recycling to a greater extent. The recent addition of battery collection bins is a positive step that also needs to be widely promoted.

“Novel strategies can be put into place in Gibraltar. A case in point is a ‘reward system’ for recycling as can be observed in Scandinavian countries where residents carry reward cards that are topped with points every time an individual recycles. These can then be exchanged as credit in several shops. This technique has not only proved to promote recycling but has also demonstrated to reduce litter problems.

“The recycling of paper/card and plastic in Gibraltar has been shelved as these will be valuable fodder for our new incinerator. The incineration of these recyclables will be justified under the pretence that thermal energy derived from their combustion will be used as a green energy to drive other operations such as reverse osmosis for the desalination of water. Whilst this use of heat is commendable, it is by no means a valid excuse for not recycling paper/card and plastic. Firstly, the incineration of any waste results in the emissions of toxins and green house gases into our atmosphere, an area Government needs to tackle considering Gibraltar’s recent record regarding atmospheric pollutants.

“Reducing incineration to a minimum is the correct environmental measure to take (whilst naturally making use of any thermal energy produced as a result).”