Written answers

Thursday, 21 January 2010

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

EU Directives

5:00 pm

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps that have been taken to comply with EU directives on waste management that require Ireland to reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfill by 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2454/10]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Meeting the requirements of the landfill directive is a key national priority in respect of waste management and I am committed to implementing the measures necessary to ensure that Ireland meets the 2010, and subsequent, EU landfill diversion targets. Data from the National Waste Report 2008, published by the EPA, show that the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste disposed to landfill decreased by 19% in 2008 to approximately 1.2 million tonnes, which leaves Ireland requiring to divert a further 280,000 tonnes in order to meet the first landfill directive target due in July 2010.

In December 2009 I signed the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations 2009 , which are designed to promote the segregation and beneficial use of food waste arising in the commercial sector.

Also in December, I increased the landfill levy by the currently permitted annual maximum of €5 per tonne to €25 per tonne and I intend to increase it to €30 from 1 February 2010. This will begin to address the race to the bottom in landfill gate fees, which we are now witnessing and which acts as a barrier to achieving the diversion targets.

I intend to publish a Bill on levies generally and this will provide for further substantial increases in the landfill levy. The Bill will also address the extension of levies to other waste facilities.

In 2008, my Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities to drive forward the roll out of brown bins and promote the use of home composting. I will be issuing a further circular letter to local authorities to accelerate progress in the roll out of brown bins and further promote the benefits of home composting.

I am confident that all of the above measures will contribute significantly to the achievement of the targets for the diversion of waste from landfill and a reduction in our overall use of such facilities.

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