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The House of Commons committee that cast doubt over fortnightly collections, prompting the recent media frenzy, also pointed out that domestic refuse only amounts to nine per cent of national waste and that: ?far more can ultimately be achieved by recycling and reusing commercial, industrial and construction waste.?

Until recently, Oxfordshire County Council was the only authority in the country to have employed a commercial waste reduction officer to provide just that kind of focus on commercial, industrial and construction waste.

The county council now runs a Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) Centre so that other local authorities can emulate the success it has had in reducing commercial waste.

Councillor Roger Belson, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said:

?Oxfordshire County Council recognised commercial waste was an important environmental issue back in 2004 when we employed our first commercial waste reduction officer.

?Since then we've gone on to help businesses around the county reduce their environmental impact and save money. I'm very happy that other local authorities are now replicating the pioneering work which began in Oxfordshire.?

Sue Kent, BREW Centre Manager, said:

?Thanks to the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste Centre numerous local authorities around the country are improving the support they provide businesses to help them reduce, reuse and recycle.

?We're gradually seeing a drive to move towards a more integrated approach to resource management, and welcome the House of Commons committee's comments.?