Written answers

Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Recycling Policy

9:00 pm

Photo of Emmet StaggEmmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans for putting in place a national recycling infrastructure to process recyclable waste here as opposed to exporting it, in order to ensure accountability in respect of the action taken regarding that waste that cannot be ensured when that waste is exported to another country, and to reduce the emissions that would be the product of shipping or otherwise transporting that waste abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28694/07]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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While statutory responsibility for the making and implementation of regional waste management plans, including in respect of the provision of recycling infrastructure, rests with the local authority or local authorities concerned, I am determined to further develop the national recycling infrastructure so as to meet the ambitious target set out in the Programme for Government that only 10% of waste or less is consigned to landfill. The Programme also commits to further expansion of the provision of segregated waste collection and the introduction of household hazardous waste collection, such as paint cans, in all suitable recycling centres.

Since 2002 my Department has allocated some €100 million in capital grants to assist local authorities in the provision of recycling and recovery services. The projects assisted include bring bank networks, civic amenity sites, materials recovery, composting and biological treatment facilities. There is a commitment in the National Development Plan to continue to support local authority provision of infrastructure and I will ensure this commitment is met.

In view of the escalating costs to local authorities of operating the increased network of recycling facilities, my Department has also allocated almost €30m since 2003 to these authorities to assist with the operating costs of such facilities. The costs incurred by local authorities are regularly reviewed to ensure that the available funding is distributed in an equitable manner. In addition, a Market Development Programme for Waste Resources 2007-2011 was published in April 2007. The purpose of the Programme is to promote stable demand for recovered materials and to support the achievement of economies of scale in the production of products made from recycled materials, as well as the need for more recycling infrastructure in Ireland to reduce reliance on overseas markets. The Programme also seeks to identify new applications and markets for recyclable material and secondary recycled products. Implementation arrangements for the Programme will be put in place shortly.

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