While these initiatives hold out the potential for making further major progress in preventing, reducing and recycling waste, they cannot provide the full solution. The experience of the best environmental performers in Europe shows that energy recovery and residual landfill also have a role to play. While some would have us believe that we can wish away this aspect of waste management plans, as a Government we cannot deal in fantasy. We must work within a framework that is rooted firmly in reality. We all accept that education and awareness are crucial in securing a better understanding and acceptance of this aspect of the waste debate.