Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 325: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the volume of recycled material that is produced weekly; the usage of same; the volume used in the home market; the volume exported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36769/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The detailed information sought is not available in my Department. National waste statistics for all waste streams are published by the Environmental Protection Agency. National Waste Reports were published in respect of the years 1998, 2001 and 2004. Two interim database reports have been published to provide data on municipal waste specifically (i.e. household and commercial waste) for the years 2002 and 2003 respectively. An interim Report in respect of 2005 will be published shortly by the Agency. As outlined in successive National Waste Reports, the general situation in Ireland is that we are substantially reliant on foreign based materials recycling infrastructure, which dealt with 73.8% of recycled waste in 2004.

The roll out of producer responsibility schemes is contributing to increased recycling capacity and associated new jobs in Ireland. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations have led to a surge in the collection rates for this waste stream, the creation of over 200 jobs and the provision of three new WEEE reprocessing facilities in Ireland.

The National Waste Report 2004 states that 33.4% of municipal waste was recovered in that year compared with 9% in 1998. The total quantity of material exported for recycling was 891,240 tonnes. Spain and the UK are the principal destinations for recyclables exported from Ireland for subsequent reprocessing, accounting for some 82% of total exports in this area. Europe as a whole accounts for almost 92% of all recyclable waste exported from Ireland for further treatment with the remaining 8% exported to the Asian continent (China being the principal recipient) for reprocessing.

The export of waste is regulated by local authorities, in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93 of 1 February 1993 on the supervision and control of waste within, into and out of, the European Community. In this context, it should be noted that clean segregated materials are a sought after resource which are freely traded under EU and international law.

While international trade in waste is consistent with Government policy insofar as it supports improved performance in recycling, the Government also recognises the value of a more developed recycling infrastructure in Ireland. To this effect, a Market Development Group was established by Government in 2004 with a view to identifying market opportunities for materials recovered for recycling. The Programme which the Group is developing will identify new applications and markets for recyclable material and secondary recycled products. The Group has been asked to identify barriers to the use and marketing of recyclable material and to develop strategies to address these.

The work of the Group is currently focusing on three priority waste streams: paper, plastic and compost. Among the key issues to be addressed are promoting stable demand for recovered materials and supporting the achievement of economies of scale in the production of products made from recycled materials.

The Market Development Programme is being finalised at present for publication early in 2007.