Vol. 496 No. 1
176 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans, if any, he has to provide additional funding to REPAK to carry out collection recovery of packaging waste; the amount of State funding for this project since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22003/98]
In accordance with the principle of producer responsibility, REPAK Limited was established by Irish industry to co-ordinate and finance the collection and recovery of packaging waste, so as to achieve national recycling/recovery targets for such waste. The company's activities are financed by fees from businesses which are members of the REPAK packaging waste recovery scheme. REPAK Limited has not received Exchequer funding and I have no proposals to provide such funding. My Department has agreed with REPAK Limited to co-finance a consultancy study, which is currently under way, to identify businesses which potentially qualify as "major producers" under the Waste Management (Packaging) Regulations, 1997. This study will cost approximately £9,000.
177 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the action, if any, he is taking to educate the public on the issue of waste reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/98]
Changing our ways, the policy statement on waste management published recently by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, recognises that a key factor in mobilising the public to take a more responsible approach to waste, and support its minimisation and recovery, is sustained public information and education. Local authorities have a critical role in influencing change in their communities and securing a better performance in relation to the minimisation and recovery of waste.
Many local authorities are already engaged in local environmental awareness campaigns, and the policy statement strongly recommends that those authorities which have not already done so should develop an on-going public awareness programme aimed at generating a clear appreciation of the nature and scale of the waste problem in their area, and providing practical guidance on the day to day choices which can be exercised by individuals and households.
Meaningful waste charging policies also play an important role in influencing public behaviour in favour of waste minimisation. By ensuring that waste generators, including households, pay the full costs of waste services on a use-related basis, local authorities can focus public attention on the implications of waste generation and provide a direct economic incentive for waste reduction. "Changing our ways" recommends that local authorities introduce weight related charging to the fullest extent possible. Public education on waste and other environmental issues is routinely promoted through my Department's environmental information office, ENFO. A number of the environmental awareness projects supported this year under my Department's environmental partnership fund grants scheme involve the promotion of waste reduction among local communities.
