Vol. 520 No. 1
255 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to introduce new recycling programmes in view of correspondence received from persons (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14911/00]
As outlined in the policy statement, Changing our Ways, overall Government policy on waste management is committed to a dramatic reduction in reliance on landfill, in favour of an integrated waste management approach which will deliver ambitious waste recycling and recovery targets. These include a diversion of 50% of overall household waste away from landfill; a minimum 65% reduction in biodegradable municipal waste consigned to landfill; the development of composting and other feasible biological treatment facilities capable of treating up to 300,000 tonnes of organic waste annually; recycling of 35% of municipal waste, and recycling at least 50% of construction and demolition waste within a five year period, with a progressive increase to at least 85% over 15 years.
Local authorities have adopted or are currently engaged in finalising a range of regional and local waste management plans generally aimed at meeting these recovery targets. Typically, these plans incorporate proposals for household segregation and kerbside collection of organic waste and dry recyclables in urban areas; an extended network of "bring" facilities in rural areas, typically with a target density of one facility per 500 population; an increased network of civic amenity sites and waste transfer stations and a range of waste treatment and disposal facilities.
To support the delivery of improved waste management services and infrastructure under these plans, some £650 million is earmarked for capital investment in the development of waste management infrastructure under the National Development Plan 2000-06. Of this, some £100 million in Exchequer EU funding will be provided to support the development of requisite waste recovery infrastructure over the life of the plan.
I am satisfied that the systematic approach now being adopted will provide a good basis on which to address the difficulties associated with improving our national materials recycling performance.
In addition, a further policy statement focusing on waste minimisation, recycling and waste recovery generally is currently in preparation. This will address in detail the factors and practical considerations which are relevant to the achievement of Government policy objectives in this area, and outline the scope of further measures which will be undertaken in support of better recycling performance.
