Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 November 2019
28. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase awareness of recycling, general waste and compost for home owners disposing of their waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49326/19]
View answerIncreasing public awareness to improve recyclate and organic waste quality through better recycling practices and reduced contamination of waste continues to be a priority for my Department. In this regard my Department is committed to the continued promotion of www.mywaste.ie. This web portal which was launched in November 2018 has been developed by the Regional Waste Management Offices with support from the Department, to provide consumers with a single information resource on all aspects of domestic waste management in Ireland and in particular it focuses on the provision of advice on managing waste more responsibly and efficiently. The website contains an interactive map showing details of waste facilities across the country, such as civic amenity sites and bring banks.
The Regional Waste Management Offices, in conjunction with the National Waste Collection Permit Office, are launching Phase 3 of the My Waste platform today. Phase 3 adds 'the who' to the website, adding a search function so that citizens can get information about who collects waste in their area and contact details for each of the collectors.
To ensure a consistent national message on improving waste management, the Department established a Waste Communications Strategy Group in 2018 consisting of the Department, the Environmental Protection Agency, Repak, the Price Monitoring Group on Household Waste Collection and the Regional Waste Management Planning Offices. This Group continues to meet to help ensure the various bodies involved in waste awareness campaigns co-ordinate to the fullest extent possible.
A full public consultation on the development of Ireland's Waste Action Plan will be launched before the end of this year which will seek views on all matters waste related, including seeking views on the need for and delivery of future awareness and education campaigns.
