Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 6: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to private waste collectors not picking up recyclable waste; if he will amend waste policy or legislation to combat this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3819/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations 2007 provide for a system of permitting by local authorities of commercial waste collection activities and for nominated local authorities to attach such conditions as they consider necessary to give effect to the objectives of the statutory regional waste management plans, including in respect of recyclates. Enforcement of a permit is a matter for the relevant local authority and my Department has no direct function in this matter. I will continue to keep the regulations under review in the light of experience and in the context of the overall review of waste policy which is currently taking place.

Concerning the issue of the downturn in the market for recyclates, my Department, by circular letter issued on 4 December 2008, advised local authorities of the increased risk of breaches of waste collection permit conditions and activities such as fly-tipping and illegal dumping as a consequence of this downturn. Local authorities were asked to use the powers available to them to counter any such developments and thus to maintain support for ongoing efforts to increase recycling to meet national objectives and EU obligations. In support of local authority enforcement action, my Department is allocating €10.8 million for waste enforcement in 2009.

I can confirm that my Department is not aware of any cases of non-collection of recyclates by collectors, with the exception of a short-term issue in the Dublin area around Christmas last, which appears to have related to the transfer of a contract rather than to the downturn in the recyclates market and which was addressed by the local authority and the new contractor.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does the Minister consider the litter Acts need to be amended in order to deal with the litter problem, which is an ongoing one? I accept some progress has been made in the area but, nevertheless, people still feel the need to throw litter around the place, especially near local authority recycling bins. Does the Minister intend to change the penalties or introduce new legislation to deal with this irresponsible activity?

Will the Minister comment on the roll-out of green bins across the country? Many local authorities have not done that yet. What action is he taking in order to encourage them to do so?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Strictly speaking the question does not relate to No. 6 but I will answer it anyway.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is all waste.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I agree the litter problem is something that needs to be addressed. The Deputy may be aware that we increased the fines already. I am liaising with Irish Business Against Litter, which has done fantastic work. It has asked for a number of changes to be made and I am considering them.

In the context of the new international review that we are conducting on waste management, we are examining the issue of deposit schemes and how they can be used. A number of innovative proposals have been made in regard to litter, especially cans and bottles, which have real merit. I refer in particular to vending machines, which encourage young people especially to bring back bottles and cans. That has been shown to be most effective not just in regard to recycling, but more particularly in dealing with the litter problem.

On the question of the green bins and brown bins, the latter are vitally important because we must meet our targets.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I meant to say brown bins.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The circular I issued means that the brown bins are being rolled out. They have been rolled out in Dublin. That is vital if we are to comply with the landfill directive, especially the amount of biodegradable waste that is going to landfill. The brown bins can make a major contribution to that. Most people are complying with that. There are some initial teething problems but overall the roll-out of the brown bin will make a significant contribution.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister referred to the downturn in the market for recyclable material. He had a meeting before Christmas with waste management operators about that issue. He suggested on the RTE "One o'clock News" that some of the material such as paper and cardboard could be processed in some way to make fuel pellets and that it could be used as fuel and burned in one of the ESB plants in the midlands.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I think I said cement kilns.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Does that mean the Minister is now in favour of incineration?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What I said was that it would be a last resort. We must look at those substances that have a high calorific value and consider what we do with plastics. I said previously that in combination with mechanical biological treatment, MBT, which is what is done elsewhere, we would examine separating out those materials that have a high calorific value. I refer to black bin waste that can go into an MBT plant. That can be separated out and it is what is done elsewhere. Our record on this issue is poor because we do not, and have not used, cement kilns in any way, unlike other European states. There is not a need for the amount of incinerators that have been planned. I said that consistently. My preference in terms of conversion technology has always been that we consider pyrolysis and gasification, which are higher up the recycling chain or the waste hierarchy. Cement kilns have a role to play and they play an important role elsewhere.