Written answers

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Waste Disposal

8:00 pm

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 1532: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 822 of 6 July 2006, his plans to extend the local authorities pilot scheme for the collection of farmyard plastic; the volume of plastic collected in the pilot areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29445/06]

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

I announced on 3 May this year as, part of a series of measures to build on the successful farm plastic collection scheme, that five local authorities — Clare, Galway, Mayo, Offaly and Waterford County Councils — would provide designated facilities on a temporary once-off basis where farmers could deposit waste silage/bale wrap free of charge. Funding was made available to these local authorities from the Environment Fund to meet the costs associated with the operation of the scheme.

The initial trial has now concluded in all five counties and information was sought by my Department in relation to, inter alia, the volumes of farm plastics collected and the costs associated with the baling, transport and onward recycling of all such material. All of the evidence available suggests that the pilot scheme has been extraordinarily successful and well supported by farmers.

While final returns are awaited from the participating councils, on the basis of information received to date from the local authorities concerned, it is estimated that in excess of 9,300 tonnes of waste silage/bale wrap has been recovered at a cost of approximately €1.8 million. One significant finding from the pilot scheme was that it is not possible to operate collections in a large number of counties at the same time due to capacity constraints on the part of recovery operators. Accordingly, it will be necessary to roll out the scheme to other areas on a staggered basis. In addition, it was noted that there was a high level of demand for collection in counties with a high proportion of farmers participating in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS). Arising from a comprehensive examination of the information available, I will be announcing an extension of the scheme shortly.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.