Mary Hanafin
Question:205 Ms Hanafin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the guidelines, if any, laid down for county councils to introduce segregated refuse collections for the purposes of recycling. [11937/99]
Written Answers. - Waste Management.
Local authorities are required, under section 22 of the Waste Management Act, 1996, to make waste management plans with the objective, inter alia, of encouraging and supporting the recovery of waste.
The Waste Management (Planning) Regulations, 1997 require that waste management plans, in addressing the implementation of waste policy, have regard, inter alia, to the segregation and separate collection of recoverable wastes, including legal requirements on waste producers. In this regard, local authorities are empowered under section 35 of the 1996 Act to make bye-laws governing the segregation and presentation of household or commercial waste for collection.
The October 1998 policy statement on waste management – Changing our Ways – recognises the key role of local authorities in the delivery of waste services and the achievement of a radical improvement in Irish waste management practice. It outlines policy requirements and objectives which should be taken into account in the waste management planning exercises currently under way, and offers guidance on a range of issues, including the technical aspects of planning. In this regard, the policy statement stresses the importance of employing waste collection systems which reflect the recycling and recovery scenarios being pursued and which will ensure the efficient collection of recoverable wastes.
It is evident that the regional waste management strategy studies and waste management plans currently being adopted by local authorities are guided by Changing our Ways, and address the scope for segregated waste collection for the purpose of facilitating a better waste recovery performance.