Dan Boyle
Question:59 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to address the litter problem caused by cigarette butts and discarded gum. [12290/04]
View answerThursday, 29 April 2004
Questions (64)
Written answers
Under the Litter Pollution Acts 1997-2003, primary responsibility for management and enforcement responses to litter pollution generally, including problems caused by discarded cigarettes and chewing gum, lies with the local authorities. It is a matter for each local authority to decide on the most appropriate clean up, enforcement and public awareness actions for litter in their respective functional areas. On foot of the success of the environmental levy on plastic bags, which was introduced in March 2002 and has resulted in a reduction in the dispensing of plastic shopping bags at retail outlets by over 90%, the agreed programme for Government contained a commitment to consider the extension of the levy on plastic bags to other materials which may be problematic from a waste management and, or, litter perspective.
A report issued by the litter monitoring body, which is co-ordinated by my Department, in July 2003 provided valuable statistical data on litter pollution in Ireland. Chewing gum is identified in the report as the single largest litter component in the food litter category and the second largest litter component, at 18.49% of total litter, after cigarette related litter. Fast food packaging and automated teller machine, ATM, receipts were also identified as problematic litter items.
In light of the findings of the litter monitoring body report, the Minister announced his intention to take measures to tackle litter caused by chewing gum and the other two items mentioned. To this end, a consultancy study was commissioned in September 2003 to carry out an analysis and recommend appropriate economic instruments, including environmental levies and negotiated agreements with the relevant sectors, that might be implemented with regard to these items. I am considering the consultants' report which was completed recently.
Question No. 60 was answered with QuestionNo. 13.