Pat Breen
Question:183 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he intends to take to support a domestic recycling industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30935/06]
View answerWednesday, 4 October 2006
Questions (105)
Written answers
One of the main barriers to an improved and sustainable recycling performance is the lack of stable and economically attractive markets and outlets for recyclable materials and products manufactured from recycled products. The need for the establishment of a Market Development Group, which would oversee the development of a Market Development Programme, was outlined in the Delivering Change policy statement and the Agreed Programme for Government.
The Market Development Group, established in July 2004, has an independent Chairperson and comprises representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Enterprise Ireland, the National Standards Authority of Ireland, the Irish Business and Employers Federation, the Irish Waste Management Association, the Small Firms Association, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, the City and County Managers' Association, the Clean Technology Centre, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Enterprise Ireland provides secretariat to the Group.
The Programme which the Group is developing will identify new applications and markets for recyclable material and secondary recycled products. The Group has been asked to identify barriers to the use and marketing of recyclable material and to develop strategies to address these. The work of the Group is currently focusing on three priority waste streams: paper, plastic and compost. Among the key issues to be addressed are promoting stable demand for recovered materials, supporting the achievement of economies of scale in the production of products made from recycled materials and the need for more recycling infrastructure in Ireland to reduce reliance on overseas markets. The Market Development Programme is being finalised at present for publication later this year.