Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 4

Written Answers. - Recycling of Waste Paper.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

113 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment if he will have arrangements made to explore possible outlets for the acceptance of waste paper, in particular newspapers, for recycling purposes in view of the fact that Kerbside Collection is no longer accepting such paper. [10012/96]

Mary Wallace

Question:

121 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment the activities, if any, currently taking place within his Department to encourage recycling; the current difficulties in respect of recycling of paper; his policy on the issue of recycling; the practical position in this regard in each local authority area; and the cost of recycling versus other means of refuse disposal. [9892/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 121 together.

I refer to the replies to Question No. 114 of 8 May 1996 and to Questions Nos. 142, 143 and 144 of 12 March 1996.

The strategy documentRecycling for Ireland sets out the general approach being adopted by the Government to promote recycling to end 1999. The comparative costs of different waste management options have been analysed in the paper The Economics of Solid Waste Management in Ireland (November 1995) which was commissioned by my Department from the ESRI Environment Policy Centre. Both documents are available in the Oireachtas Library.

Difficulties in relation to the recycling of paper are being experienced at present in Ireland and many other countries arising from a significant reduction in the demand and price for waste paper. I intend to consult with other EU member states and the European Commission regarding possible international action to improve the situation.

Increased demand for recycled paper will be supported in Ireland by guidelines being finalised in my Department for environmental management by Government Departments. A study commissioned by my Department and National Newspapers of Ireland is also being completed by Teagasc on the use of shredded newspaper as bedding for dairy cows. These and other appropriate national measures to support waste recycling will be pursued by my Department in the context of the further implementation of the national strategy and of the Waste Management Bill, 1995.