Environment minister, Michael Meacher, has been accused of misleading parliament when he told MPs that the European Commission was to blame for the thousands of fridges piling up across Britain.

Forum Response: Environmental Services Association

Dirk Hazell, chief executive of the Environmental Services Association, told ePolitix.com: "The UK has signed up to many EU requirements intended to improve environmental sustainability but implementation of the Landfill Directive has not gone well and the associated National Waste Strategy is under-funded.

"ESA's primary concern is not who said what to whom and when. Fridges provide a specific illustration of more general British tardiness to match the EU's legal requirements for greater environmental sustainability with the necessary resources and regulation.

"Another example would be ongoing transport in the UK of clinical wastes in plastic sacks instead of the rigid containers required by the EU (despite investment by ESA's Members to enable the UK to comply).

"ESA welcomes the prime minister's decision to order a Cabinet Office review of the waste strategy and we want the secretary of state successfully to implement the UK's duties under EU law. To this end, every resource ESA and our Members can muster continues to be at the minister's disposal."

Forum Response: The Environment Council

Mo Humphries, head of marketing and external relations at The Environment Council, told ePolitix.com: "It appears that a lot of energy is being put into the search for someone to blame in relation to the root causes of the fridge row.

"Wouldn't it be better to channel that energy into working with all stakeholders to find a practical solution to the problem? The Environment Council believes the most creative and effective solutions to such issues can be found through taking a collaborative approach."