Opposition Environment spokesman Cole Simons called for a review of the National Waste Management plan last week, accusing Government of failing to make the grade in recycling.

?Government does not see recycling as a priority ... They cannot have a recycling machine that has been out of commission for five years. They should be able to recycle newspapers,? he said last week.

However, a Government spokesperson said progress has been made in the building of a new recycling plant for the Island.

The 2004/05 Budget set aside $2.2 million for the plant, which Works and Engineering has said will be located at Bailey?s Bay.

Last week, the spokesperson said Government has received two bids from vendors willing to supply the processing equipment for the plant.

Those bids are currently being evaluated.

Two waste management staff are also currently overseas examining recycling facilities while at the same time upgrading their training in hazardous waste disposal, she said. Government will be in a better position to discuss the new recycling plant when those staff return in August.

But Mr. Simons said he spoke with staff at the Devon Springs Recycling Plant who do not believe that Government is serious about the recycling industry and the corresponding National Awareness Campaign.

Staff such as tour guides of the plant feel they are selling a philosophy which cannot be delivered on, he said.

?These guides are working in a paradigm where they encourage people to recycle but they can?t deliver what they advocate because of a lack of real commitment by their employer ... Government does not see recycling as a priority, and therefore is not about to commit additional resources to recycle Bermuda?s paper waste.

?If the Scott Government is serious about Bermuda?s environment ... the Ministry of Works and Engineering must revisit and review its National Waste Management plan.?

The collection policy must be reviewed as a part of that, he added.

?We can ill afford to deter recycling because of irregular collection practices ...

?It appears that Bermuda?s national recycling education and promotion campaigns have virtually slipped away, despite having a waste management officer within Government.?

Mr. Simons also blasted the human resources management at Devon Springs, saying workers do not have an ongoing training programme and do not feel they are taken seriously.

Government is missing out on an opportunity to make money with the recycling plant, he said, adding that more can be done to recycle within the community, the commercial sectors, and the tourism industry.