Vol. 408 No. 8
39 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance whether the Government have any policy on the use and disposal of paper by Government Departments and by State companies and agencies; if so, if he will outline this policy; if his attention has been drawn to the benefits to the environment on the prudent use and disposal of paper; and if he will make a statement of the matter.
The Stationery Office, subsequently the Government Supplies Agency, took on the responsibility for the administration and management of the contract for the collection of nonconfidential mixed waste paper from 1 February 1984. Almost all of this waste paper is unsuitable for recycling because of contamination and is disposed of mainly by deep burial. Most of the nonconfidential clean waste together with all the confidential waste is disposed of directly by the individual Department/ Offices. This is purchased by paper merchants/converters and then sold on to the paper mills for recycling.
During the course of the existing contract for the collection of non-confidential waste, the Government Supplies Agency asked each Department/Office to take particular care in segregating waste and to ensure wherever possible clean waste suitable for recycling was not contaminated.
The existing contract for the disposal of waste paper will expire on 30 June 1991, and each Department/Office will make their own arrangements for their waste paper disposal from then on.
