I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 90 together.
Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste sets challenging targets for the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill. In the case of Ireland, the diversion rates required are projected to equate to 59% for 2010, 73% by 2013 and 80% by 2016 for this particular waste stream. The recent National Waste Report 2006 published in January 2008 by the EPA presents the scale of the challenge in sharp focus: while the recovery rate for this waste stream increased to 38% from 35% in 2005, the quantity of this waste going to landfill rose by 15%.
A National Strategy on Biodegradable Waste, published in 2006, sets out a wide range of integrated measures, designed in accordance with the waste hierarchy, to support biodegradable municipal waste minimisation and diversion from landfill. The Programme for Government is clearly committed to the effective implementation of this Strategy.
My Department is supporting the roll-out by local authorities of segregated "brown bin" collections for food and garden waste; this will make a significant contribution to diversion of household waste from landfill as we have already seen in places like Galway and Waterford. In addition, it has become clear that landfill gate fees have fallen thereby making landfill more attractive as a waste disposal option. I have, therefore, recently signed an Order and associated Regulations giving effect to an increase in the landfill levy from €15 per tonne to €20 per tonne from 1 July this year. This is the maximum increase permissible under the current legislation and is the first increase in the landfill levy since it was first introduced in 2002.
In line with the commitment given in the Programme, a major review of waste policy is now commencing. The review will examine the potential contribution that mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) and other technologies can deliver towards our landfill diversion targets, particularly in the context of recovering the biodegradable fraction in residual waste arising from domestic households. I have already placed on the record my position that an over reliance on incineration is not the answer for residual waste treatment.