Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Finance the total weight of waste that his Department produces within its own offices in the last year for which figures are available; the breakdown of the weight produced by paper, glass, aluminium and steel cans, textiles, plastics, organic waste, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, hazardous waste and mixed waste respectively; the percentage of weight in each category which is recycled; and the details of any contracts his Department has for this disposal, reduction or re-use of waste. [5422/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Data is not held by my Department concerning the weight of waste disposed, except in the case of confidential waste paper which amounted to approximately 104,000 kg. in 2004.

My Department uses Dublin City Council's refuse collection service for the disposal of general waste, including cardboard for recycling. In the case of obsolete computer equipment, staff members are first given the option to purchase such equipment for a minimal fee. The Department uses commercial companies for the shredding and recycling of confidential waste paper, and for the recycling of printer toner cartridges and mobile phones. Quotes are sought, as the need arises, for the environmentally friendly disposal of other recyclable waste such as any remaining computer equipment and other office equipment. The recycling of other items of waste is being reviewed with a view to increasing the amount of waste that is recycled or disposed in an environmentally friendly manner.