Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the context of build back better, yesterday I published a draft framework for a circular economy as a rapporteur which, I believe, should be a central spine on our climate action planning. I do not need to remind the Minister that Ireland has 22% more waste than the rest of the EU. Our food waste would be the equivalent in climate impact to 1 million vehicles being taken off the road if we could eliminate it. Two thirds of our plastic is not recyclable. I ask the Minister if he agrees with me that rethinking our supply chains from the start or initial design to the end of life is crucial to delivering on our ambitions. Does the Minister believe we should now set bold objectives, such as halving food waste within five years rather than ten years and halving residual black-bin waste by 2030? Does he agree that we should develop sectoral roadmaps so that these can be realised effectively?

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