Vol. 450 No. 6
99 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a grant available to community groups who wish to acquire bottle banks for the recycling of glass; and if he will ensure that any such grant will cover the full cost of the bottle banks. [5485/95]
The national recycling strategy recognises the important role of community and voluntary groups in support of recycling. While it would not be practicable for my Department directly to administer a scheme of grants for the acquisition of bottle banks by such groups, assistance and support to community groups is frequently provided by local authorities and by REHAB, which is widely involved in glass collection and provision of bottle banks.
The main instrument at national level for supporting development of recycling facilities generally will be the solid waste management sub-programme of the Operational Programme for Environmental Services 1994-99. Private sector projects will receive 50 per cent funding towards projects under this programme. Proposals are at present being developed in my Department in relation to the waste management projects and activities which, subject to the approval of the European Commission, will be supported under the programme.
