Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of waste in weight generated by his Department in 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 in tabular readable form. [32693/07]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the percentage of waste in 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 that was recycled in tabular readable form. [32708/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together.

Details of the amount of general waste generated in my Department's Headquarters between 2005 and to date in 2007 are set out in the table below. The level of waste generated in 2005 and 2006 shows a reduction of 20% on the 2002 amount of 499,200 litres.

The percentage of waste recycled over this period is not available but in accordance with its Environmental Policy Statement, my Department is fully committed to the effective management of waste including prevention, reduction and recycling. This is a critical element of our ongoing accreditation to ISO 14001, which we have achieved for our headquarters offices. A number of strategies guide our activities in this regard across the Department, including prevention and reduction in the amount of waste generated and maximising all opportunities for the re-use and recycling of all waste arising. A contract is in place for the collection and recycling of paper and cardboard packaging from my Department's main offices. In relation to redundant electronic IT equipment, the Department arranges for the reuse of suitable equipment and where this is not possible avails of the take back facilities under the WEEE Regulations for the dismantling and recycling of such equipment. Arrangements are in place in my Department's headquarters under which cans and bottles are collected and recycled by Dublin City Council. There are also arrangements in place for recycling glass and for the safe disposal of batteries. My Department is also availing of the brown bin collection scheme being run by Dublin City Council, which provides for the segregation of 960 litres per week of organic kitchen waste for composting.