Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - Waste Disposal.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

201 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the plans he has to encourage the greater segregation of waste by local authorities so as to facilitate recycling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16305/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I have no direct function with regard to the provision of waste collection services. Under the Waste Management Act, 1996, local authorities have a qualified obligation to collect, or arrange for the collection of, household waste, and may collect other wastes. A local authority may, for the purpose of the proper management of waste, make bye-laws requiring a holder of household or commercial waste to present such waste for collection in such manner as may be specified, for example, in segregated receptacles.

It is proposed very shortly to make regulations under section 34 of the 1996 Act providing for the granting of waste collection permits by local authorities. A local authority may require the holder of a waste collection permit granted by the authority to provide for segregated collection of household or commercial waste.

Local and regional waste management plans incorporate proposals for household segregation and separate collection of organic waste and dry recyclable materials in large urban areas. A segregated household collection scheme for dry recyclables is currently being provided to some 100,000 households in the Dublin region and will progressively be extended with a view, ultimately, to providing segregated collection services for dry and organic wastes to some 80% of households in the region. I understand that local authorities in other regions are moving to provide, or arrange for the provision of, equivalent segregated collection and recovery services within their functional areas. Repak Limited, which was established to promote, co-ordinate and finance the collection and recovery of packaging waste, is prepared to make funding available to assist local authorities in the initiation and development of such services. Repak Limited also operates a nation-wide subsidy scheme to support the segregated collection and subsequent recycling of commercial and industrial packaging waste.