Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1279. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department will ensure that brown bins for organic waste will be made available to all householders in view of the fact the absence of a brown bin service here will lead to even greater increases in refuse charges under the pay-by-weight regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35148/17]
View answerThe European Union (Household Food Waste and Bio-Waste) Regulations 2015 are designed to promote the segregation and recovery of household food waste.
The Regulations impose obligations on both householders and waste collectors. Under articles 4 and 5 of the Regulations, household waste collectors are required to provide, or arrange for the provision of, a separate collection service for food waste from households in communities greater than 500 persons. Householders are obliged to segregate their food waste and make it available for separate collections. Alternatively householders may compost the food waste at home or bring it themselves to authorised treatment facilities such as civic amenity facilities or anaerobic digestion sites.
A food waste collection service is now being provided in every county across all local authority areas. The provision of this service to more remote areas with fewer than 500 persons is being addressed by my Department taking into consideration technical and environmental practicalities, in conjunction with the regulatory authorities.
