Online voters opted overwhelmingly for Pickles as the Government Minister
talking the most rubbish in the green charity's contest -set up in response to
the Coalition's record of talking trash whilst failing to set out a sensible
plan for dealing with England's waste.
Friends of the Earth's waste campaigner Julian Kirby said:
"Government Ministers have been keen to trash recycling when in reality it's
more popular and successful than ever.
"Eric Pickles in particular has been at war with councils when he should be
supporting them to cut the amount we needlessly throw away.
"David Cameron needs to take control of his hysterical, squabbling Ministers and
set a goal to halve the nation's black bag waste by 2020."
Three Ministers were nominated for the first-ever Talking Rubbish Award for the
'bin myths' they have attempted to spread:
* Eric Pickles, Communities Secretary: Recycling means everyone is terrified of
the 'bin police'
* Bob Neill, Under-Secretary for Communities and Local Government: Rotting food
is piling up in our homes.
* Caroline Spelman, Environment Secretary: Tyrannical bin taxes are being
scrapped by the Government.
The Ministers declined to attend the awards ceremony.
Friends of the Earth is calling on David Cameron to halve the nation's black-bag
waste by boosting recycling and helping people and businesses to cut down on
unnecessary rubbish.