Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 114: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will confirm that recent figures from the EPA show that builders are generating twice as much waste as had previously been estimated; the implications of this for waste disposal policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11074/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The preparation and publication of national waste statistics is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, and these statistics are published at three-yearly intervals by the agency. The most recent National Waste Database Report in respect of 2001 was published by the agency in 2003. I understand that the agency is currently compiling the database for 2004 which will include data in relation to the construction and demolition waste stream and will be finalised by end 2005.

In light of the significance of construction and demolition waste, the Government's policy statement, Changing Our Ways, September 1998, which provided a national policy framework for the adoption and implementation by local authorities of strategic waste management plans under which specific national objectives and targets would be achieved, set out specific targets for the recycling of construction and demolition waste of at least 50% of construction and demolition waste by end 2003 rising progressively to at least 85% by end 2013.

A national construction and demolition waste council was established by the construction industry in June 2002 as a voluntary producer responsibility initiative to facilitate the achievement of the national construction and demolition waste recycling targets. The council has recently launched its voluntary construction industry initiative which involves all key participants in the construction industry committing to a series of specific actions, which have the overall objective of increasing recycling rates for construction and demolition waste. The initiative aims to concentrate on the major waste fractions in the early years and establish the most suitable practices for Ireland through practical experience. It is envisaged that further steps will be initiated at a later stage to focus on the remaining elements of construction and demolition waste.

In tandem with the launch of the voluntary construction industry initiative, my Department announced new draft best practice guidelines on the preparation of waste management plans for construction and demolition projects for public consultation. The aim of the draft guidelines is to promote an integrated approach to construction and demolition waste management, throughout the duration of a project and to ensure the projects are designed to promote sustainable development, environmental protection and optimum use of resources. The guidelines introduce the concept of on-site construction and demolition waste management plans which would apply to projects above certain specified thresholds. It is my intention to finalise the draft guidelines shortly following a comprehensive evaluation of the submissions received from the public consultation. The finalised guidelines will be submitted to the national construction and demolition waste council for their formal endorsement.