Vol. 475 No. 4
54 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether there is a necessity for the State to underwrite the price of recycled products such as paper and domestic plastic, as is done in other EU countries, to ensure that his plans for a national recycling policy will succeed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5004/97]
The successful development of waste recycling will depend to a significant extent on the development of more extensive and stable markets for recyclable materials. At my initiative, this issue was discussed at the Informal Council of EU Environment Ministers in July 1996, where there was agreement on the need for consideration to be given to measures which will encourage more stable and adequate markets for recyclables. The Environment Council has since formally requested the Commission and member states to take concrete action with a view to promoting markets for recycled goods.
The development of enterprises which use recycled materials will be supported by the regulations which I published recently in draft in relation to packaging waste. The regulations will place obligations on suppliers of packaging and packaged goods to take measures to facilitate the collection and recovery of packaging waste and should serve to provide for more reliable supplies of good quality waste for recycling.
An increased demand for recycled paper will also be supported in Ireland by the Green Government Guide circulated last year. This initiative seeks to promote better environmental management by all Government bodies, with particular emphasis on the use of recycled materials and the recycling of wastes.
Financial assistance is being provided by my Department by way of grants which are EU co-financed to support capital expenditure on the provision of infrastructure for waste recycling. Grants have recently been approved for a number of private sector projects, including facilities to deal with paper and plastic.
