Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 479: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to encourage businesses to compost their waste; the incentives he will make available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27691/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste, published in April 2006, envisages that 80% of biodegradable municipal waste will be diverted from landfill by 2016. It also views the separate collection and subsequent biological treatment of organic waste to generate compost as having a critical role in minimising the use of landfill into the future.

While the provision of waste facilities in line with the relevant waste management plan is primarily a matter for the local authorities, recycling, recovery or disposal of commercially arising waste is specifically the responsibility of the producer. Against this backdrop, my Department is working with industry towards the development of a statutory instrument for the source segregation and appropriate treatment of catering waste and former foodstuffs from commercial premises. The regulations have already been the subject of a stakeholder consultation, and will shortly issue for public consultation.

I have also signalled my intention to introduce primary legislation to allow for significant increases in the landfill levy. This will make source segregation of waste streams (including organics), and the presentation of quality material for recycling, more attractive for both the commercial and private sectors, with the potential to reduce resource costs and to contribute to the further development of an indigenous composting and recycling industry.

I am confident that the above will have the potential to divert significant amounts of commercial food waste from landfill towards more sustainable and environmentally beneficial practices.