Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1046. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the requirements placed on employers to ensure that with respect to waste generated by their staff in the workplace recycling is maximised and residual waste is minimised; the locations such requirements are published; the way in which they are enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36297/18]
View answerWaste management in Ireland is primarily regulated under the Waste Management Act, 1996. Section 32 of that Act requires any person who produces waste to ensure that the waste is managed appropriately, including through arranging for the collection of the waste by an authorised operator. The waste hierarchy is defined in section 21A and establishes a priority order which is the cornerstone of both EU and national waste management legislation and policy, whereby prevention, preparing for reuse, recycling and other recovery of waste are prioritised over the disposal of waste. Supplementary secondary legislation such as the Waste Management (Food Waste) Regulations, 2009, together with specific local authority bye-laws, all reflect the waste hierarchy and complete the legislative framework in this regard. The inspectorate staff of the local authorities and/or the Environmental Protection Agency is charged with oversight. Notwithstanding the above, employers, indeed all waste producers, are encouraged and supported to prevent waste. My Department currently supports the following workplace initiatives:
- The EPA’s Green Business programme offers a free service that helps business identify savings through waste prevention and reducing water and energy use. The service includes advice on how to build staff engagement in successful environmental management;
- The EPA’s Green Teams Recognition Scheme (www.greenteams.org ) has developed formal accredited training for workplace green teams; and
- The three Regional Waste Management Planning Offices are working directly with business and Local Enterprise Offices to improve environmental behaviours in the work place.
My Department has also funded a range of measures to support better recycling at household level which is equally applicable to the workplace, including:
- recyclinglistireland.ie – promoting a standardised list of items that can be put in the recycling bin;
- a ‘Master Recycling’ programme which is being rolled out to 650 workshops nationwide; and
- www.brownbin.ie - shows the public how to use the brown bin properly.
